(AP) — Rafael Nadal kept pulling away in his U.S. Open quarterfinal, then getting reeled back in by Diego Schwartzman.
In the first set, Rafa led 4-0 before Schwartzman got to 4-all. In the second, Rafawent up 5-1 before Schwartzman made it 5-all.
Took more than two hours just for those two sets. Eventually, both were claimed by Rafa And so, ultimately, was the match and a berth in a 33rd Grand Slam semifinal for Rafa, who prevented Schwartzman from reaching his first by winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 after 12:30 a.m. Thursday in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
On Friday, Rafa will play No. 24 Matteo Berrettini, a 23-year-old from Rome who is Italy’s first male semifinalist in New York since 1977. Berrettini barely got there, edging No. 13 Gael Monfils 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5) on Wednesday.
September 4, 2019 – Rafael Nadal walks on court at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: A detailed view of the sneakers of Rafael Nadal of Spain during his Men’s Singles quarterfinal match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on day ten of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Justin Heiman/Getty Images)
September 4, 2019 – Rafael Nadal in action against Diego Schwartzman in a quarterfinal match at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA)
September 4, 2019 – Rafael Nadal in action against Diego Schwartzman in a quarterfinal match at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a bug before he serves against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their men’s Singles Quarterfinals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2019. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, waits for a serve from Diego Schwartzman, of Argentina, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victorry over Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their Quarter-finals Men’s Singles match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2019. (Photo by Don Emmert / AFP) (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Ten. Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina in the Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4th, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
September 4, 2019 – Rafael Nadal in action against Diego Schwartzman in a quarterfinal match at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles quarterfinal match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on day ten of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Justin Heiman/Getty Images)
2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Ten. Rafael Nadal of Spain attempts to stretch his arm muscles during his match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina in the Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4th, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their men’s Singles Quarterfinals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2019. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a point while playing Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their Quarter-finals Men’s Singles match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2019. (Photo by Don Emmert / AFP) (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts during his match against Diego Schwartzman, of Argentina, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
September 4, 2019 – Rafael Nadal and Diego Schwartzman hug after their quarterfinal match at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his match win over Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on day ten of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Go, go, go Rafa. Make it 19 in 2019. YOU can do it. Praying for you. God bless.
I love watching your great tennis Rafael Nadal our King our Love our Superstar🇵🇭🤩😍…BUENA SUERTE ON THE NEXT ROUND 💪🙏♥️
May the force be with you.!!
#19🏆 #usopen2019🏆
#foreverrafaelnadalfans
Rafa great match to watch . Congratulations well don champ vamosssssssssss all the way to the finals 💪🇺🇸🎾❤️😘💪🇺🇸🎾❤️👍💪🇺🇸🎾❤️😘💪💪🎾❤️👍💪🇺🇸🎾❤️👍💪🇺🇸🎾❤️😘
It almost looks like Rafa ‘s heart didn’t want to snow his friend. Sure glad he was able to get onto his I’m ready to get this one now!!! ” mode.. I hope Friday is a battle Rafa is ready to take easily!!! Vamos man!??
I
Hello it will be Friday at that time…reasoning is that there has to be a full day between each match. Mens’ final then is Sunday
Tonight ladies semis are happening as their final is Saturday..ok
Thank u soooo much !!!!!
Hey Rafan,
I’m french, can someone say to me the hour of the next match Nadal/
Is it friday 23h59 or saturday 23h59 ?
Thanks a lot !!!
Hello it will be Friday at that time…reasoning is that there has to be a full day between each match. Mens’ final then is Sunday
Tonight ladies semis are happening as their final is Saturday..ok
It’s Friday – the first match is at 4pm local time, so Rafa’s match could start any time between around 6pm and 9pm depending on how long it takes … so between 11pm and 2am UK time, or midnight and 3am Central European time. Thankfully the days of semis on Saturday and the final on Sunday are over – that used to be mad!
ENHORABUENA!!! Adelante Rafa.. a por el Us Open… Siempre contigo!!!!
It was a tough match but Rafa still managed to get it done in three sets, congratulations Rafa👏
Good luck against Berrettini🍀 Vamos RAFA!!!❤️
Straight sets but this was a big fight. Take rest and than all the best for friday. Vamos Rafa <3
Here we go again!!! I predicted that Rafa will win it all. Love this man…
Great match to watch. Stayed up late . Great win. Almost there. Best of play and luck🇪🇦👑🥇🎾🗽♥️🌹🇺🇸