Argentine tennis player Diego Schwartzman defeated US Open winner Dominic Thiem in five sets at Roland Garros and is in the semifinals of the grand slam for the first time. After more than five hours, he defeated the Austrian favorite 7: 6, 5: 7, 6: 7, 7: 6, 6: 2 and imitated his compatriot Nadia Podoroska, who as a qualifier also sensationally went into the fight for the finals today.
The world number three and two-time finalist from Paris, Thiem, won the US Open in New York three weeks ago and won the premier grand slam title. He fought Schwartzman, who is ranked 14th in the ATP rankings, for five hours and eight minutes today.
“It was a real roller coaster ride,” Thiem said of the wild course of the men’s opening quarter-finals. “Of course I feel empty and disappointed now, but I have nothing to blame. And I’m happy with Diego. Losing with a friend hurts a little less,” he added.
In the fourth set, who had to decide a tie-break for the third time, Thiem was two balls away from victory. However, he did not get to the match ball and in the decisive act the Argentine already dominated. “I was so nervous because I felt a chance today. In the end, I deserved to win,” said the 28-year-old Schwartzman, a finalist at the recent Masters in Rome.
His compatriot Podorská was shocked today by winning 6: 2, 6: 4 over the third seed Elina Svitolinová from Ukraine. In the semifinals, Schwartzman will face either twelve-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal or Jannik Sinner from Italy.
Men (Quarterfinals):
Schwartzman (12-Arg.) – Thiem (3-Rak.) 7: 6 (7: 1), 5: 7, 6: 7 (6: 8), 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 2.
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