The Roland Garros men’s semifinals will be set on Wednesday as Rafael Nadal squares off with Argentine Diego Schwartzman, and Marin Cilic battles with Schwartzman’s countryman Juan Martin Del Potro. Our panelists predict the outcome of the matches after a wild Tuesday that saw a major upset on the men’s side of the draw.
Marin Cilic vs Juan Martin Del Potro
Steen: Two former (one-time) slam champions who would do anything to win a second before their careers come to a conclusion. Del Potro leads the h2h by a big margin, and though this isn’t his best surface, I’m not Cilic can deal with his power. Look for JMDP to dictate play and prevail. Del Potro in 4
Yesh: No one would expect it, but del Potro has a 10-2 H2H advantage over Cilic. For whatever reason, Cilic struggles against those who play similar games to his. That will continue here. Del Potro in 4
Ryan: After losing his first set of the tournament, del Potro has not dropped a set or even been pushed to a tiebreak. Cilic has also been dominant most of the tournament as well, and has more experience recently on the bigger stages. Both players big serves will battle, but del Potro’s powerful forehand will end up making the difference along with his better game on clay, Del Potro in 4
Manuel: Del Potro leads 10-2 in the H2H between the two, and was already beating Cilic regularly in the junior circuit. He’s also generally more comfortably on clay and has been more impressive in this tournament. But you can never count out Cilic at a Slam, there’s a reason he’s a US Open champion and has reached 2 Slam finals in the past 12 months. Del Potro in 4
Brett: After speculation that Del Potro would withdraw from Roland Garros, he now finds himself in the quarterfinals against an opponent in Cilic who gives him little trouble. Del Potro leads the H2H 10-2 and has six straight against Cilic. It’s hard to pick against Del Potro, especially after how well he played against big-serving American John Isner. Del Potro in 4
Rafael Nadal vs Diego Schwartzman
Steen: Novak Djokovic going down in one of the quarterfinals has to give Schwartzman hope. The punchy Argentine really plays above his stature and he won a massive five setter to reach this stage. That said, even though Nadal has been tested by the relatively unaccomplished Bolelli and Marterer, he was never in any real danger. Putting Rafa at risk of losing is going to take something massive, and I don’t think DSS will reach those lofty heights. Nadal in 3
Yesh: Schwartzman has pushed Nadal hard in the past, and–while no one wants to mention it–Nadal has looked vulnerable at times, though he has yet to play anyone who can take advantage. I think we’ll see a minor shock here, as Schwartzman manages to take a set. Nadal in 4
Ryan: Nadal will be facing a different type of player in Schwartzman with his feisty return game and refusal to make a single point easy. Because of his size Schwartzman can struggle to hold serve, but boasts a dangerous return game. Nadal’s game on clay is too strong to be broken often even against Schwartzman, and will wear him down. Even with Schwartzman extending points, Nadal will overpower him and one set will reach a tiebreak but Nadal will win comfortably. Nadal in 3
Manuel: Nadal has won every match these two have played so far, but it’s rarely ever been easy. Once again, Nadal winning, perhaps even in straights, looks like an inevitability but you can still expect a long match with a lot of excruciating rallies and very few easy points on serve. Nadal in 3
Brett:Diego Schwartzman somehow got through to the quarterfinals after defeating Kevin Anderson, after Anderson served for the match twice and was up a break in every set. Up next is ten time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal. Like most players, Schwartzman hasn’t won a match against Nadal in five attempts, but he does manage to keep them competitive. Nadal should get through, but I think Schwartzman will be the first player to take a set off Nadal since 2015. Nadal in 4
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