Stunning Schwartzman through to quarter-finals at US Open
Argentine overcomes injury to book his place in last eight at Flushing Meadows.
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
Diego Schwartzman fantastic run in New York continued on Sunday evening after he dramatically beat Lucas Pouille to book his place in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
Having produced a stunning performance to beat fifth seed Marin Cilic on Friday he beat the 16th seed in four action packed sets on the Grandstand Court.
Taking the first set on a tiebreak, and the second 7-5, having been broken first in both sets, momentum seemed to be swinging in favour of the Frenchman when the Argentine picked up an injury, which led to the doctor coming on to administer treatment to him during medical time out.
Pouille duly went on to take the third set 6-2, and when Schwartzman was broken in his second service game in the fourth set, it seemed as if his campaign was over. However, showing tremendous character, he broke back, before winning the next three games to seal the fourth set 6-2 and claim another fantastic win.
Admitting he thought he was in trouble during the third set with his leg injury, he said: “I was 2-3, he broke my serve in the 2-All, then he served 3-2 and I started to feel some pain in my right leg. That was tough because I was just thinking about that, that’s never happened to me before [in the leg], just a few times in my career. It was tough to be focused again in the match.
“I thought he had the chance in the fourth when he was a break up again. Then he started maybe to be a little bit nervous, more than me. I was just thinking in my leg. I think that helped me a lot to be more aggressive in the match and try to win every point. I thought I played really good tennis in the fourth set.”
Backed once again by a sizeable support in the stands, he said: “They are helping a lot in all the matches. In the first round, second round as well, they are helping a lot to me. When it’s a tough moments on the matches, they are making noise with me, just to be with me on the match. That is helping a lot always. I am really happy for that and thanks everyone for doing that.”
Looking ahead to his quarter-final clash, which will be played on the main Arthur Ashe court, he said: “It’s going to be really nice for me. I am really happy to be in the quarter-finals this year. More if I play against Pablo because he’s my friend outside the court. We have a good relationship in the locker rooms, and we have a lot of things outside the tennis life.
“It’s going to be really nice for both of us to play in the quarter-finals here in a Grand Slam.”
The furthest he’s ever been in a Grand Slam tournament, he will next face the 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta, who earlier on Sunday, beat Israeli-born Denis Shapovalov
Monday will see two Israeli on Court. Dudi Sela and Belgian Steve Darcis take on Netherland duo Robin Haase and Matwe Middelkoop in the third round doubles clash, they’re due first on the Louis Armstrong Court.
Fifth on Court 9 is Yshai Oliel, who teaming up with Russian Alexey Zakhrov, take on Brazilian duo Igor Gimenez and Matheus Pucilnelle De Almeida in their first round junior doubles clash.
Oliel is already through to the second round of the Boys’ singles competition after he beat American Ryan Goetz 6-4, 6-4. He next face Korean Uisung Park.
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