Schwartzman Continues Australian Open Dominance

When Diego Schwartzman and Dusan Lajovic faced off two years ago at the Australian Open, Schwartzman prevailed in an epic five-set battle. The No. 14 seed from Argentina was in no mood for another marathon in their rematch on Friday, saving three set points to beat No. 24 seed Lajovic 6-2, 6-3, 7-6(7) and book his place in the fourth round.

“I was so lucky at the end. Many times, I was not playing my best in the tie-break, but I’m happy to finish and go to the locker with the second week [result] here,” Schwartzman said in his on-court interview. “I think I was very solid, serving well, and trying to take every opportunity he gave me.”

Schwartzman didn’t drop a set in his first three rounds and conceded an average of nine games per match. On the two other occasions he’s made the second week at a Grand Slam without losing a set (2018 Roland Garros and 2019 US Open), he went on to reach the quarter-finals.

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The Argentine will next face second-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic or Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka. He’s 0-3 against Djokovic in their ATP Head2Head rivalry, but stretched the defending champion to a deciding set in their past two matches. Schwartzman leads Nishioka 3-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

“I just know Nishioka because he’s my size,” Schwartzman said with a smile. “Nole is a big player, a legend of our sport… I’m just thinking to recover well and be ready for Sunday.”

Quote of the tournament 😂@dieschwartzman | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/2JpMyiVKBO

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Both players arrived wearing identical kits, but a stark contrast in form was evident during the first two sets. Schwartzman scampered across the court to extend their baseline rallies, waited patiently and attacked when given the chance. The Serbian felt the pressure and frequently overcooked forehands, committing 25 unforced errors in the first two sets.

Lajovic adjusted his tactics in the third set, adding more margin to his shots and bringing Schwartzman forward. Meanwhile, the Argentine’s serve deserted him and he was broken three consecutive times to trail 2-4. But Schwartzman is known as a problem solver and dug deep to get the match back on serve, pumping his fist after the Serbian sent a forehand wide in the seventh game.

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He solved more challenges in the tie-break, bravely rallying from 4/6 and saving a third set point at 6/7 when Lajovic missed a slice backhand. A gorgeous backhand volley winner brought Schwartzman to match point and a forehand error from the Serbian wrapped up play after two hours and 13 minutes.

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