World No. 2 Rafael Nadal continues his quest for a fourth US Open title on Wednesday when he takes on Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals.
Rafa is 7-0 against the Argentine, but they have played some tight matches, particularly in their three Grand Slam meetings (including a 2015 match in New York City).
Date: September 4, 2019
Match time: Around 9 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2 AM – United Kingdom / 3 AM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11 AM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing Diego Schwartzman:
He is one of the most talented players on our tour. He has everything, amazing control, amazing speed. He has the ability to read very well your shots and to understand very well the game. Is not a surprise he is there.
Diego is playing unbelievable. I need to play my best in the next round to have the chance to be in that semifinals.
Diego:
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I have many good games, very good matches against him. I had my chances against him in many matches, but I wasn’t able to win the opportunities against him. You never know when are going to come the next opportunities. Maybe it’s the next match against him. I need to be ready.
According to usopen.org, this is the 20th tournament he’s played in 2019, winning his third career title in July at the Los Cabos hard-court event. Currently ranked No. 21, the Argentine has a career-high mark of No. 11, the highest ranking achieved by a player 5-foot-seven or shorter since 5-foot-six Harold Solomon was No. 10 in 1981.
Good luck & Vamos Rafa!
When asked to describe facing Rafa, Diego replied, “Like a lion in the middle, in the jungle. He’s a fighter.”
“He knows how to play the important moments every single time. I played [him] eight times, and every important moment he played better than me.”
[SOURCE: Eurosport]
Well said, Diego.
Good luck to Rafa against Berrettini.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa had to work hard to beat Diego for the victory especially in the first two sets. So relieved he was able to finish in straight sets! Vamos Rafa❤️
2 to Go
Today Was a tough one
Be ready For Friday Champ
Best of luck for Friday and Sunday
Vamos Rafa
Diego said of the Big 3, “I don’t know how, but these guys are improving every time.”
[SOURCE: Ricky]
Whew… What a fighter Diego is! Happy Rafa is through.
Two more matches to go, champ!
And 2 hours of sleep for me now:)
Yes he is and that’s why I thought he might have won a set. He too had a relatively smooth and uncomplicated road to the QF.
I sure hope Rafa cuts down on his unforced errors.
So weird. Rafa wins first 2 sets despite countless unforced errors.
Like Rafa, I think Diego also has a comedic streak in his DNA.
I’m reminded of the 2018 FO 4th round match between Diego and Kevin Anderson. During a break Diego, who was seated to the right of umpire Veljovic explained, soto voce, Kevin’s disrespectful behavior. Kevin was seated to her left.
During the match Kevin bellowed out a celebration each time Diego made an unforced error.
Diego: “Every point. He’s not respecting, you know. You’ve got to have some respect for the players. Because when I miss the ball, you need to be quiet. Not every point saying ‘Come on, come on’ ….shut up.”
The umpire looked as if she were trying to stifle a laugh but gave a supportive nod of the head when Schwartzman asked if she were on his side.
Diego, pointing to himself, “You think I am not right? OK. You are with me? Thanks.
Kevin probably should have zipped it. He had won the first two sets. And then he fizzled. Diego won the match 1-6, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-0), 6-2.
[SOURCES: UPI, Sports Illustrated, News.com.au]
Seeing the video is a lot more fun than reading about it, guaranteed.
Margo, thank you for sharing🙏……I really like Diego, he is one of the nicest guys on tour but not when he plays Rafa though. I don’t recall I watched the match you were talking about but what a way to respond by Diego, winning the last three sets to beat Anderson👏
No Mimi, I didn’t see the match but came across articles about the incident while looking up news on Rafa. I had to see for myself because I thought Kevin was known as a gentleman and I do get a kick out of Diego.
In the video Diego is just so non chalant while making his case against Kevin. And the umpire’s expression is just priceless. The video has the makings of a Monty Python or SNL skit.
I would love to watch the video myself, thanks Margo🙏
You’re welcome Mimi.
I just watched the video, you described it so well but you are right, watching it is more fun!
I can’t hate on Schwartzman, he’s just too cool. Good luck tonight Rafa, and bring your A game. Get it done quick champ!!
Diego at 5’7” does play a big game but there is no reason to believe he will beat Rafa.
Diego thought his QF match would be against Berrettini who beat him at this year’s Wimby in a tough 5-set match. Maybe he was hoping to get back at Berrettini. When informed he would be playing Rafa he said “Oh, [laughing], I thought I was playing Berrettini. I need to be ready.”
[SOURCES: NY Times, Sports Illustrated, NY Post]
Both Rafa and Roger practice with Diego because he gives his all but his all will not be enough to win against Rafa.
Good luck tonight Rafa. Get into the SF’s
Of the Big Three, RAFAMAZING is the ONLY one still standing. Wishing him all the best to translate that into Rafa the LAST MAN STANDING come Sunday.
RAFA ROCKS
Good Luck And Vamos RAFA!
So weird. Rafa wins first 2 sets despite countless unforced errors.
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Good Luck Rafa.
Go Rafa Go Rafa good luck ! I’ll be watching and cheering for you VAMOS <3
GOOD LUCK!
Rafa good luck tomorrow vamosssssssss champ you can do it all the way to the finals 💪🎾🇺🇸😘❤️😋🎾🇺🇸😘❤️💪🇺🇸🎾😘❤️💪🇺🇸🎾😘❤️💪🇺🇸🎾😘❤️👍🌎
Good luck and Vamos RAFA🍀💪❤️