2018 French Open Mens QF: Nadal - Schwartzman

[britbox]

Predictions?

 

[britbox]

Nadal leads the H2H 5-0.

2018 Madrid Masters R16 Clay Rafael Nadal Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-3 6-4
2018 Australian Open R16 Hard Rafael Nadal Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3
2017 Monte Carlo Masters QF Clay Rafael Nadal Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-4 6-4
2015 US Open R64 Hard Rafael Nadal Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 7-6(5) 6-3 7-5
2013 Acapulco R32 Clay Rafael Nadal Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-2 6-2

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Shortman to win ................




















his second set in life against Rafa and that too without a TB.

 

[10isfan]

I’m in awe of Swartzman and would love to see him win a set. However, I think he’ll get blown off the court in 3.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

As many have stated before, only un unexpected injury can cause an upset in this match. Given very minuscule chances of such event, there is no need to even try giving shortman any chances, it would be like swimming against a very strong current. Nad in 3.

 

[mrzz]

Obviously Nadal is the favorite, but if one has seen their past matches, one interesting aspect is that Schwartzman small size gives him kind of an advantage: probably because of this, he loves to get the ball on the rise, which is a very good (even if obviously risky) strategy against Nadal. Surely better than to lay back and be killed by the top spin. That's why most of their past matches had stretches of very competitive play, and why a "peak Schwartzman" is a good candidate for an upset against a so-so Nadal. Unfortunately, it is the other way around and we have a so-so Schwartzman against at least a pretty good version of Nadal.

Even so I will go with a twist in the plot: Schwartzman gets the first set and will lead by a break in the second. Then...

 

[brokenshoelace]

Yeah I agree with mrzz in that Shwartzman will make it competitive (at least the rallies themselves, even if it's not reflected on the scoreline). If he's playing clean tennis, this will be an enjoyable match as he does take the ball very early and tries to be aggressive.

 

[Horsa]

I'm going to be brave & act out of character here by actually having something relevant to say & not just playing with words or saying what I want to happen in tennis sections & say I think Nadal will win in 3. Please don't ask me why though. I just do. I hope I'm not going to regret this attempt to act like everyone else.

 

[Carol]

From my city Bilbao with love......:heart:

It’s time that Nadal steps on the accelerator and of course even the little argentine is a tough fighter I hope Rafa finish the match as fast as possible but also he needs to improve that first serve which goes more often to the net than to the other side.

 

[kskate2]

Lil Diego returns really well. That's worth a set, but there's only a 10% chance he gets that set.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Relax everyone, Diego's got this. 4 sets maybe?

 

[mrzz]

New rule! new rule!

Whoever gets the first break wins!

 

[the AntiPusher]

From my city Bilbao with love......:heart:

It’s time that Nadal steps on the accelerator and of course even the little argentine is a tough fighter I hope Rafa finish the match as fast as possible but also he needs to improve that first serve which goes more often to the net than to the other side.

Rafa needs to fix that serve, the little fighter has been into every one of Rafa’s service games. Where are the Lasers.. the cc bh that won MC, Barcelona and Rome.. ?

 

[britbox]

Go Diego!

 

[brokenshoelace]

Maybe people should listen to me when I say Nadal hasn't been impressive at all. This is an especially pitiful set though. Got broken 3 times, faced a break point in every other service game... Serve has no pace, no direction, or misses entirely. Ground strokes are garbage. He'll win this match -- I think -- but the semis will be worth watching.

 

[britbox]

WTF is going on? I don't have commentary on.

 

[brokenshoelace]

^^ Same. No idea.

 

[britbox]

Peach of a winner to take the set...

 

[britbox]

Pretty serious taping going on with Nadal's left arm... and now the right.

 

[herios]

Not watching, but Diego took the first set. Nice.