Diego Schwartzman reaches first Masters 1000 semifinal in Rome

Diego Schwartzman clinched his deepest run at an ATP Masters 1000 event on Friday, defeating Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-2 to move through to the Rome semifinals. He awaits the winner of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro.

Finishing off Nishikori in straight sets was imperative for Schwartzman, who was 0-3 versus the sixth-seeded Japanese–with two of those losses coming on clay after holding a one-set lead. The 26-year-old, a quarterfinalist at last year’s French Open, is seeking his first title of 2019.

On how he turned the tide against Nishikori, Schwartzman joked in a post-match interview, "I think finding every line on the court." He added, "And being aggressive, being solid and serving well was the key."

Schwartzman saw a 5-0 lead evaporate in the opening set and it appeared Nishikori would level proceedings, until spraying four consecutive unforced errors to hand the Argentine the set. Up 3-2 in the second, a double fault from Nishikori created three break points for Schwartzman, who converted on his second opportunity when Nishikori framed a forehand long. Schwartzman soon strutted with an extra step in his legs, producing two exquisite forehand passes in the ensuing game to regain control. Nishikori double-faulted once more to end the match.