In a contest that had more twists and turns, Diego Schwartzman ensured he outlasted two-time Roland-Garros finalist and reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem, 7-6(1) 5-7, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-2, to cement a spot in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time.
The 28-year-old Argentinian notched his first top-five win at a major after trying eight times. He also ended a three-match losing streak in Grand Slam quarter-final matches with the five-hour and eight-minute triumph.
He did it against one of his best friends on the tour, making the moment bittersweet.
Watch the match highlights below
“Dominic is one of the best players right now in the world,” Schwartzman says after the match.
“Winning the last Grand Slam, two times final here, we are friends – I have a lot of respect for him.”
Related: French Open 2020: Stefanos Tsitsipas makes history for Greece after dispatching Grigor Dimitrov
French Open 2020: Novak Djokovic sets record as he cruises into the quarter-final in Paris
The Argentine joined compatriot Nadia Podoroska to cap an eventful day for Argentina in the French Open quarter-final after the latter’s earlier upset of Elina Svitolina in the women’s singles.
The 12th seed showed great resolve to pull off what was a monumental effort and a true testament to his fighting spirit, rallying from two sets to turn the tide and mounted a late surge to race to victory.
With the win, Schwartzman sets up a semi-final bout with the 12-time champion, Rafael Nadal. While not exactly brimming with confidence about facing the King of Clay, he can draw self-belief from his first career win over the Spaniard en route to his runner-up showing in Rome last month.
“I’m 10-1 (9-1) down,” he says with a smile. “I’m not sure if I’m going to have a lot of confidence. But, yeah, I know this week that I can beat him. That’s the important thing.”
Sad ?
Sad loss. Was rooting for a Dominic Thiem – Nadal semis showdown but Schwartzman won. Congrats to the winner.