Diego Schwartzman versus Novak Djokovic, the duel: time and TV of the great round of 16 match at Roland Garros

Diego Schwartzman will face Novak Djokovic In a premature instance of Roland Garrosthe round of 16, in a match between two of the best on the circuit: it will be on Sunday, from 6 am (Argentina time), at the Philippe Chatrier, the main court of complex Stade Roland Garrosand you can see live by ESPN.

The “Little One”, who has just beaten Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets, is the only Argentine left of the 10 that made up the main draw of the tournament and will have a major challenge in the round of 16: world number 1 Novak Djokovic.

Since the start of the final phase of the competition, nine of Schwartzman’s compatriots have fallen by the wayside: Federico Delbonis, Thomas Martin Etcheverry, Facundo Bagnis, Pedro Cachin, Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Juan Ignacio Londero.

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The best Argentine tennis player today has gone from less to more in the tournament. Before Dimitrov, he made one of his “best” performances in a Grand Slam, as the Buenos Aires tennis player himself recognized.

His beginnings in the Parisian brick dust were hesitant. In his debut, he lost a set to Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, from the previous phase. Then a note of 6 out of 10 was given in what was his 50th victory in a Grand Slam.

He was later in the second round against the Spanish Jaume Munar, who had to overcome a 2-0 to close with a 2-6, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 and 6-2.

Increasingly tanned in the greats, Dimitrov was immediately liquidated (6-3, 6-1 and 6-2). And that the Bulgarian had “beat him to death” at the beginning of May at the Madrid Masters.

“The way things are, just a few weeks ago I had lost to him. This time I analyzed with my coach and I played a great game (…) The slow conditions today have also benefited me”, said the player, alluding to the cloudy and humid day that influenced the speed of the ball, which was slower than normal.

“I made 15, 16 errors in three sets. I played a great game”, added the “Peque” proudly, who, dressed in a striking pink uniform, With his aggressiveness and speed on the court, he makes up for his short stature (1.70 meters).

The 2020 semi-finalist You will have to sweat to get to the quarterfinals. If normally Rafa Nadal gets in his way, this time it will be Djokovic, current champion of the tournament.

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“I am going to have to serve harder and closer to the lines because he is one of the best returners in the world, and he has a great serve”, predicted the “Peque”. On the only occasion that “Nole” was measured at Roland Garros, she lost in five sets, back in 2017.

In the other five matches in the ATP tournament, the 29-year-old from Buenos Aires also lost to Belgrade, who recently turned 35.

Relaxed after his landslide victory, the only representative of Argentina in the men’s singles draw even had time to order tickets for the Champions League final, which takes place this Saturday in Paris. “Please, Roland Garros organization, you can do it”, he implored.

Djokovic also commented on what awaits him against Schwartzman: “He is one of the fastest on the circuit, his best results have been on clay, he is a tough opponent and we already played very good matches on different surfaces. I am ready for the physical battle”sentenced.

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“El Peque”, for his part, is well aware of what a Grand Slam demands. “For five sets you have to be very prepared physically and mentally. It’s not fun to play three, four or five hours, you have to work your body for a long time”, he explained.

Statistics of Diego Schwartzman in Roland Garros

• Holdings: 9 (including 2022)
• Record: 21-8
• Best performance: semi-finalist in 2020
• Latest history: in 2021 he lost in the quarterfinals with Rafael Nadal.

Diego Schwartzman’s record with Novak Djokovic: 0-6

• 2020 Nitto ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-2
• 2020 ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, Novak Djokovic wins 7-5 and 6-3 (Final)
• 2020 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 (Round of 16)
• 2019 ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, Novak Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-7 (2) and 6-3 (Semifinals)
• 2017 Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic wins 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 (Third Round match)
• 2014 US Open, Novak Djokovic wins 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 (First Round match)