Rafael Nadal’s French Open has seen him slowly picking up pace with a vintage performance in the last round against Jannik Sinner.
He overcame the young Italian 7-5 6-3 6-0 in just over two hours with a clinical second and third set showing that earned him his 35th consecutive sets win in Paris.
This close he clearly means business and wants to win a record-breaking 21st major this Sunday.
Today he faces another clay-court specialist in Diego Schwartzman, who the 28-year-old Argentine looking to peak at just right time.
His straight sets 7-6(9) 6-4 7-5 win over German Jan-Lennard Struff was tough but this diminutive player is as tough as you will find on the pro circuit today.
On the ATP tour so far, Nadal leads Schwartzman 10-1 overall and 5-1 on clay.
And in last year’s semifinal Nadal eased his way to a straight-sets victory 6-3 6-3 7-6(0).
Will it be that easy today?
Well, Schwartzman is currently on a great run, with four consecutive straight-sets win, but Nadal has another gear to go through yet – he has yet to peak.
The Argentine is not a great server – and he could struggle – if he doesn’t hold serve.
But he does have a big heart and will push Nadal all the way.
Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…