Reigning French Open champion Rafael Nadal takes on Diego Schwartzman in the semifinal of French Open 2020. Rafa is looking to add a 13th French Open title and a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title. Nadal has looked comfortable in the different conditions in Paris. And for Diego Schwartzman, it’s a first Grand Slam semifinal.

Rafael Nadal vs Diego Schwartzman: Preview

Rafa Nadal competed in his 100th match on the red dirt of Paris as he beat Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals of the French Open 2020. Overall, Nadal has a 98% win percentage with an astonishing 98-2 win record. That itself mounts huge pressure on any player he ever faces in the French Open.

But certain aspects with this year’s French Open haven’t gone well with Nadal. Cooler conditions in Paris during October have made the clay-court slower. Coupled with the new Wilson balls, the clay-court play this year is slower and has a lower bounce. And so, Nadal hasn’t been a fan of these conditions. But the Spaniard hasn’t been troubled so far and like always it has been tough to even take a set off him.

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For Diego Schwartzman, the short clay-court season has been spectacular. He beat Rafa Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open and lost to Novak Djokovic in the finals. In French Open 2020, his marathon quarterfinal match against World No.3 Dominic Thiem was simply amazing. In the past few weeks, Schwartzman again proven his worth on the clay court, and it isn’t surprising that many people expect him to challenge Nadal this time.

Nadal vs Schwartzman: Head-to-head

Rafa has a huge one-sided head-to-head record against Schwartzman. Nadal leads 9-1 but their recent encounter went against the Spaniard. In their recent match at Italian Open 2020, Schwartzman got his first victory over Nadal and that too in straight sets. Also, the pair have played each other at Roland Garros before in 2018, with Nadal winning in four sets. Overall, on clay Nadal leads 4-1.

Nadal vs Schwartzman: Prediction

Some takeaways from Schwartzman’s victory against Nadal in Rome last month was the Argentine’s smart play. Schwartzman can perform consistently in long rallies and can defend really well. His transition from defense to attack is seamless. Despite having a smaller stature, he can find ridiculous angles with his strokes which get close to the baseline. In Rome last month, Schwartzman was able to neutralize Nadal’s topspin and dominate rallies.

But it can be argued that at the Italian Open, Rafa was returning to tennis after six months and hence was rusty. Unlike Schwartzman, Rafa had skipped the US swing of the restarted calendar and so his season resumed at Italian Open 2020.

So far in the French Open, Rafa has been much sharper. And for now, it seems that Rafa has handled the heavier conditions well. But there is no doubt that Schwartzman is thriving in these conditions.

Given Rafa’s record in the French Open, it seems difficult for any opponent to topple the king of clay. At French Open 2020, due to the conditions, Nadal does seem a bit vulnerable, but his expertise on clay and in five-setters should enable him to edge out Schwartzman.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal to win in four sets.

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