US Open: Rafael Nadal pushes past Diego Schwartzman to reach semifinals

Ryan Young
·Staff writer
Updated
Rafael Nadal reacts after winning the first set against Diego Schwartzman during the quarterfinals of the US Open on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal reacts after winning the first set against Diego Schwartzman during the quarterfinals of the US Open on Wednesday. (AP/Seth Wenig)

Rafael Nadal let Diego Schwartzman hang around late on Wednesday night at the US Open.

His win, though, wasn’t ever truly in question.

Nadal beat Schwartzman in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in their quarterfinals match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to his eighth US Open semifinals.

“Straight sets, but a big challenge, especially after the first two sets … I had some mistakes of course to lose two breaks in a row, but anyway, I’m super happy the way I accepted the situation,” Nadal said on ESPN after the match. “I accepted the challenge and just kept going point by point. And here I am in the semifinals. That’s super important to me. That means everything.”

Nadal jumped out to a hot start, picking up an instant 4-0 lead in the first set. Schwartzman, though, rallied back almost instantly. The Argentine quickly turned the tables, winning 16-of-19 points to tie the set back up 4-4. Despite the lapse, Nadal then powered on to take the first set 6-4.

Clearly, that slip in the first set worked. Nadal cruised to a quick 5-1 lead in the second set, totally dominating Schwartzman just like he did early on in the match.

At least he was, until Schwartzman came up with an insane save in a rally he definitely should have lost multiple times.

That save sent him on yet another rally, though he again came up short. Nadal held on to grab the 7-5 win.

After splitting the first two games in the third set, Nadal kicked it into gear. The Spaniard pushed through to quickly grab the 6-2 win and end the match.

Nadal will next take on Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the semifinals on Friday. Berrettini put away Gaël Monfils in an epic five-set thriller earlier on Wednesday.

"I saw him play," Nadal said, via Forbes. "He's hitting huge. Big, big serves, big forehands, moving well and super confident. He's a player that is making big steps forward every week so it's going to be a big challenge but this match gives me some confidence, no?

"Now is the moment to keep going. Tomorrow is a day off, practice a little bit, I hope to be 100 percent for that semifinal because I will need."

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