Wimbledon 2017: Schwartzman suffers straight sets defeat
Argentine, who's the top-ranking Jewish player in the world, beaten by Bulgarian Dmitrov.
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
Diego Schwartzman couldn’t make it third time lucky on Tuesday evening as was beaten in straight sets in what was his third appearance at SW19.
The Argentine – the world’s number one top-ranked Jewish player – faced an ominous task in taking on Grigor Dmitrov – and while the first set proved to be a competitive one – the Bulgarian number 13 seed winning it on a tie-break, the second and third sets were more routine affairs as Schwartzman lost them both 6-2, 6-2.
Saying how he felt the conditions played its part on his game, Schwartzman told Jewish News: “It was a tough match for both of us, neither of us played good tennis. The conditions were tough, really fast and we spoke about it that at the end of the match – the conditions weren’t so good to play, but at the end of the day he played a bit better than me.”
Believing his opponent’s experience contributed to the loss, he said: “The difference with the surface here and at the practice courts was a big one, he’s also played more matches on this surface and I think he won because he knows the surface a bit better than me, these conditions aren’t really suitable for my game.”
His third appearance at the Championships – and third straight defeat, he does though, he says, enjoy playing on grass. “I really enjoy it”, he said. “I had a match point to reach the second round in Eastbourne, and today I think the in first set, I played some good tennis, I had the chance to close the first set, but it was really tough. When he upps the pace slightly, it’s hard to play against players like him.”
Also having to play against a serve which reached 130mph on occasions, he said: “I also have a good return, but it wasn’t the best day for me on the return, because the conditions were really fast.”
Despite his 100 percent losing record in SW19, he says he does enjoy playing there, “I always enjoy it here, the tradition is nice and I really enjoy it.”
While he still has the doubles here, further ahead, the 24-year-old who’s ranked 37 in the world, is looking to take things slowly: “I try to keep improving my tennis, will keep focussed to practice and do everything to win matches in the next tournament.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
