Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has lavished praise on Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, calling him one of the best returners in the game.

In a virtual chat with Frenchman Gael Monfils, Murray said he had a knockabout with the Argentine a week after his run to the final of the Italian Open this year.

“Very, very solid player”: Andy Murray on Diego Schwartzman

The Scot said he found Schwartzman a “very, very solid player”.

Schwartzman beat 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal on his favorite clay court surface in Rome this year.

Read More: ATP Finals 2020: Alexander Zverev vs Diego Schwartzman Preview, Head-to-Head & Prediction

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Not overawed by the latter’s reputation, Schwartzman beat the Spaniard 6-2, 7-5.

“He is not the tallest, doesn’t have the biggest serve, but (is) a brilliant returner, one of the best in the game. You look at his statistics on return, he is always right up there in the return category,” Murray said.

Scot commends Argentine’s court coverage

One of the things that stood out about the Argentine’s win over Nadal was that he beat the Spaniard at his own game. It’s not often that Nadal is outrun and outpaced. But in Rome, against Schwartzman, he was.

“He is moving fantastic, a lot of his highlights are field shots. He has very good hands, with lobs, drop shots etcetera. He’s a top player,” Murray said on his assessment of the Argentine’s game.

Schwartzman’s timing makes him stand out

The Scot said the Argentine’s timing and anticipation also makes him stand out among his peers.

“He has very good anticipation and great timing as well. Some guys are shanking a lot of balls, you know. He hits the ball very clean. Very rarely is mishitting balls as well. I don’t think I’ve ever played him but I have practiced with him a few times. He’s a great talent,” Murray said.

Despite making a quarter-final exit at the Paris Masters, Schwartzman qualified for the ongoing ATP Finals in London. However, his maiden run at the O2 Arena hasn’t gone that well, so far, as he lost his first round-robin game in straight sets to Novak Djokovic.

He will next play this year’s US Open finalist Alexander Zverev in what is a must-win tie for both.