Diego Schwartzman reaches first Masters 1000 semifinal in Rome
The Argentine scores his first win over Kei Nishikori.
Diego Schwartzman clinched his deepest run at an ATP Masters 1000 event on Friday, defeating Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-2 to move through to the Rome semifinals. He awaits the winner of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro.
Finishing off Nishikori in straight sets was imperative for Schwartzman, who was 0-3 versus the sixth-seeded Japanese–with two of those losses coming on clay after holding a one-set lead. The 26-year-old, a quarterfinalist at last year’s French Open, is seeking his first title of 2019.
On how he turned the tide against Nishikori, Schwartzman joked in a post-match interview, "I think finding every line on the court." He added, "And being aggressive, being solid and serving well was the key."
Schwartzman saw a 5-0 lead evaporate in the opening set and it appeared Nishikori would level proceedings, until spraying four consecutive unforced errors to hand the Argentine the set. Up 3-2 in the second, a double fault from Nishikori created three break points for Schwartzman, who converted on his second opportunity when Nishikori framed a forehand long. Schwartzman soon strutted with an extra step in his legs, producing two exquisite forehand passes in the ensuing game to regain control. Nishikori double-faulted once more to end the match.