Rafael Nadal advanced to his 14th Roland Garros semi-final from 17 trips to Paris last year. Nadal made a winning debut at Roland Garros in 2005 and claimed the first Major title a couple of days after turning 19! The Spaniard has been the player to beat in Paris ever since, forging an incredible record at the clay Major and achieving things that will never be repeated. Rafa reached another milestone at the last year’s Roland Garros, entering the final four and becoming the third player with 14 semi-finals at a single Major. Nadal had to work hard in the quarter-final, beating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to remain on the title course. Jimmy Connors achieved that feat at home at the US Open, and Roger Federer added 15 semi-finals to his tally at the Australian Open.
Nadal joined an exclusive list in another testimony of his incredible dominance at Roland Garros, winning 105 out of 107 matches in the French capital. After suffering only one loss in the Roland Garros quarter-finals, Rafa had to dig deep to avoid the second against the persistent Argentine, who did not lose a set before the Nadal encounter. Nothing could separate them until 4-4 in the third set before Rafa shifted into a higher gear to storm over his opponent and advance. In a repeat of the 2020 semi-final, Nadal lost a set in Paris for the first time since the 2019 final, ending the streak of 36 sets won in a row but still emerging at the top. Rafa had to work hard to follow the rival’s pace, missing some easy groundstrokes but still finishing with 35 winners and 29 unforced mistakes.
Rafael Nadal became the third player with 14 semi-finals at a single Major.
Schwartzman grabbed three breaks from four chances, and Nadal responded with seven return games that carried him home, alongside a marvelous performance in the shortest range up to four strokes. They traded breaks in games six and seven in the opener, and Nadal earned another at 4-3 when Schwartzman sprayed a forehand error. Serving for the set, the Spaniard placed a forehand winner in game nine for 6-3 after 42 minutes. Diego started all over in set number two and played on a very high level to control the pace and impose his strokes. The Argentine opened a 3-0 advantage before Nadal pulled the break back in game five to stay in touch.
Still, it was not to be for the king of clay in this part of the match. Schwartzman clinched another break at 5-4 to become the first player who took a set from Rafa in Paris in two years! Diego pushed strong in set number three again, dropping three points in the opening four service games and challenging Rafa to follow that if he wanted to stay in touch. Like many times before, Nadal raised to the challenge and earned the crucial break at 30 at 4-4 for a massive boost. In the tenth game, the Spaniard held at love to secure the set and become a massive favorite in the fourth. There was only one player on the court in the fourth set, as Nadal claimed 25 out of 30 points to leave the opponent far behind and secure the 23rd bagel at Roland Garros that pushed him over the top in style.