Tennis fans witnessed a rarity in the quarter-finals when Rafael Nadal lost a set, but things won’t get any easier when he takes on an in-form Juan Martin Del Potro for a spot in the final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11:30pm (AEST).
Nadal took on Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals. It was looking like he was going to cruise through the entire tournament untouched for a second year, with his record at Roland Garros bordering on the ridiculous.
But then Schwartzman broke his run of 33 straight sets at the second grand slam of the year – being 21 last year and another 12 this year.
The plucky 11th seed Argentinian won the first set against Nadal and was travelling along solidly in the second set before rain broke play. Nadal came back the next day and won 13 games to 4, advancing with ease to the semi-final.
While the rain break could have potentially saved Nadal, it might also leave him vulnerable ahead of what is likely to be an extremely physical match against Del Potro. While his opponent is in the same boat, they have had less than 24 hours to recover and so the man who makes the final will play three matches in four days – compared to the other side of the draw who have had six days for the same amount of matches.
Nadal obviously hadn’t lost a set and looked untouchable in the lead-up, so there’s no point rattling off his form line yet again.
Del Potro though, has surprised many by making it this far. While he came in as the fifth seed, he has only lost two sets and got the better of big-serving American John Isner in the fourth round. Isner was thought to be one of the key challengers to Nadal at this year’s Open.
The last round saw the Argentinian blast past Marin Cilic in four sets, with his power and precision in shot making coming into play throughout.
Del Potro will need similar levels of accuracy in this match, with Nadal being the best defender in the game. If he can shorten points on serve and get a break here and there though, you just never know.
Prediction
This is going to be Nadal’s toughest challenge of this year’s tournament so far. He should win, but none of these sets are going to be easy freight train runaway sets like the king of clay so often has on his favourite court.
Nadal in four sets.
Join The Roar for live coverage of the second men’s semi-final at the French Open from around 11:30pm (AEST) or at the conclusion of Marco Cecchinato versus Dominic Thiem and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me for our live coverage of the 2018 French Open as Rafael Nadal beat Juan Martin Del Potro and earlier, Dominic Thiem beat Marco Cecchinato. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage of both matches. I'll be back on Sunday night at 11pm (AEST) for the men's final, but before then, be sure join Riley Pettigrew at 11pm (AEST) tomorrow for the women's final between Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, in the end, it looks easy on the scoreboard. The first set was anything but easy for Nadal though, who saved six break points. From there, it's more the tale of the tape the scoreboard would suggest. He was virtually perfect for the final two sets.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, RAFAEL NADAL A wide serve and Del Potro returns long to hand Nadal a straight sets victory and ticket to the Roland Garros final. He salutes on centre court once more and will be back on Sunday to take on Dominic Thiem. Rafael Nadal…............. 6 6 6 Juan Martin Del Potro… 4 1 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
If that isn't a Rafael Nadal point, nothing will ever be a Nadal point. He just defends, defends, then turns it into attack, runs Del Potro ragged and eventually a defensive lob won't clear. Match point. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 40 Del Potro… 4 1 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal now flattens a forehand out, putting it into the net. Really looked like he tightened up there with Del Potro putting in one last gasp effort. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 30 Del Potro… 4 1 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Too good again from Rafael Nadal. Big forehands, then he goes back in behind, staying patient on the shot and letting Del Potro make the first move. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 30 Del Potro… 4 1 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Del Potro with a regulation rally ball into the net now. That's a bad error as he tries to keep this match going. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 15 Del Potro… 4 1 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal to serve for the match. Starts with a fault, then goes up the middle. Not a bad return and Nadal is forced to defend, eventually sending a running forehand long. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 0 Del Potro… 4 1 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the T, short return and then a big forehand up at the net on the drive volley sees Del Potro hold to love in all of about 60 seconds. Nadal now serving for a spot in the final after the change of ends. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - Del Potro… 4 1 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Del Potro has clubbed that. Serve down the middle, then a huge inside out forehand after a short return. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 0 Del Potro… 4 1 1 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Crowd getting behind Del Potro as he at least tries to make Nadal serve this out. Another big one and another point. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 0 Del Potro… 4 1 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal can't return the first serve of Del Potro this time. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - 0 Del Potro… 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's just unforced errors now from Del Potro. He looks like he really has nothing in the tank and after just 25 minutes in this set, Nadal is one game away from a spot in the final at Roland Garros. Nadal…….. 6 6 5 - Del Potro… 4 1 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Del Potro returns serve, then gets caught by a ball which hit the baseline, framing it long. Nadal…….. 6 6 4 - 40 Del Potro… 4 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal grabs the first point easily on serve, then the second as well with a body serve that was never, ever coming back. Nadal…….. 6 6 4 - 30 Del Potro… 4 1 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal breaks again! Oh my days! Wide serve from Del Potro, but Nadal has just reached out for it, hit the backhand past an advancing Del Potro and with that takes a double break. Nadal........ 6 6 4 - Del Potro... 4 1 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal just slowly fights his way into the net here. Big forehand to the corner on the approach shot, then Del Potro looks for a lob and sends it wide. Nadal........ 6 6 3 - 40 Del Potro... 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal working Del Potro around now. One side to the other, then back against. Del Potro looks exhausted as he hits the net with a forehand. Nadal........ 6 6 3 - 30 Del Potro... 4 1 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jee that's a good shot from Nadal. Backhand up the line this time on the run after he had played a defensive lob to stay in it. Nadal........ 6 6 3 - 15 Del Potro... 4 1 1 - 15