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LIVE BLOG: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH
Schwartzman stuns Nadal, incredible! Muguruza defeats Azarenka. Djokovic struggles, Shapovalov Show

Diego Schwartzman

This content was published 4 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

 

23:39 – OUT! Rafa’s ball is barely wide. The score is 30 all, Diego two points far from an incredible victory. Nadal pushes with forehand, but it’s out. MATCH POINT SCHWARTZMAN !!!!!! The first serve is long … Diego runs to the net and bang! An easy volley and … GAME SET MATCH !
Even Rafa’s father, in the stands, applauds the absolutely DESERVED success of the Argentine. WHAT A MATCH !!!

 

23:31 – Overwhelming emotions, the match is now “without a net”, the tactic is to push, push and push even more. 4 break in a row, incredible! The ball is incredibly HOT on service! Now it is Rafa who goes into crisis, 15-30 15-40! 2 more break points. He braves a Serve & Volley too “Garibaldino” … a short volley dies toooo long, Diego successfully gets it and makes it. BREAK, again, 6-5 Schwartzman ahead. Again he serves for the match. 4 little points separate it from a crazy win.

 

23:11 – The match runs in equilibrium and strong emotions for the quality of the rallies. 3 all… the RED ALARM in ON !!! Rafa misses a forehand, Diego pushes hard, 0-30 on Nadal service! “El Rey” plays excellent volleys, tonight he was “saved” more with his volley than with his monumental forehand… He pushes as hard as he could, and levels 30 all. But… a forehand drive goes long…. It’s Break Point SCHWARTZMAN!!!!! 2nd service. . . . . NO! Rafa’s drop shot dies on the net ++++ B R E A K +++++ Diego leads 4-3, two games of service (or two games) far from success!

 

22:23 – 6-2 SCHWARTZMAN !!! No inventes …” they say the Iberians to underline something impossible … Diego gave a demonstration of unimaginable strength, even higher than the beautiful semifinal of last year here at the Foro Italico vs. Djokovic, when he put the super “Djoker” in enormous difficulty. Lots of winning shots, few mistakes, above all the feeling that Nadal’s “shot” doesn’t hurt him. What a set Diego, what a set !!! Not a bad Nadal, just a stunning Diegooooo!

 

21:40 – Shapovalov smashes a CRAZY blocked backhand cross return! What a shot! Returning on 5-2 15 all, he is worth a fundamental point. Grigor misses the next one … and 2 MATCH POINT DENIS! Incredible! Dimitrov breaks a string of his racquet in the match point rally but manages to get off the net and win the point! But he doesn’t save on the second MP. GAME SET MATCH SHAPOVALOV! First semifinal in Rome for the Canadian who tonight, under the lights of Pietrangeli, showed all his immense technical talent.

 

21:20 – CMOOOOOOON, this is Shapo’s war yell on Dimitrov’s error that sends him 3-0 in the second. A good service game for Denis: solid, accurate first services and powerful groundstrokes but without risking too much.

 

21:17 – 6-0 Pliskova! The score says it all: dominant. Mertens powerless in the face of so much power.

 

21:08 – Series of breaks now between Denis and Grigor. Dimitrov is very smart at pushing with the forehand and putting a lot of pressure on the Canadian returning at 4-3. BREAK Dimitrov! He serves ahead 5-3…. makes a double fault in the game but secures the second set 6-3. A little nervous Denis Shapovalov for a few too many unforced, but Dimitrov raised a lot the pace of his shots.

 

20:46 – 6-3 Mertens !!! The Belgian sensationally reverses a match that seemed lost. 1 set all, the match goes to the third on “Centrale”. Pliskova wastes a clear advantage by losing 5 games in a row, and always suffering breaks when in an advantage in her service games

 

20:20Showtime Shapo! The Canadian plays fantastic tennis, stealing Dimitrov’s playing time with fast and very long balls. He breaks the Bulgarian’s serve twice and wins the first set 6-2. Shapo’s dominance was clear, also thanks to the very few unforced.

 

19:55 – Off to a hot start for Denis! Incredible pace and control with his groundstrokes, he breaks Dimitrov to 15, leads 2-1 and service.

 

19:47 – Pliskova runs like a train! 5-2 ahead, she is in total control of the match.

 

19:30 – Just started and …. already over! Vondrousova humiliates Svitolina with a terrifying 6-3 6-0. Elina never entered the game. Marketa awaits the winner of the match in progress on the Central, Pliskova vs. Mertens.

 

19:15Pliskova and Mertens have just started their match on “Centrale”. Karolina fires her really powerful groundstrokes and Elisa is in trouble. Save a break ball Mertens, the match is tough just from the beginning…

 

18:59 – First set Vondrousova! Marketa cancels all allowed break points, the only break is decisive. The Czech was so smart at hammering the Ukrainian with many drop shots, almost always well played.

 

18:49 – What a mental strength Vondrousova! He has saved 8 out of 8 break points so far! Stay ahead 5-2 in the first. Svitolina struggles, but still fails to scratch the shield of her rival on serve.

 

18:26 – A “complicated” start between Elina and Marketa, but without a break. Many opportunities for both to take the lead, but the set follows the services. 2-1 Vondrousova.

 

18:05 – Vondrousova and Svitolina warming up, more great tennis to come on Pietrangeli!

 

17:53 – MUGURUZA !!! Garbine wins the decisive third set 6-4 and secures an extraordinary match. Applause to the two who gave a crazy level of tennis and tons of emotions. After the long series of breaks and counter-breaks, Muguruza’s power in return on 4 all was decisive. Some fantastic shots gave her the decisive break.

 

17:27 – The emotions on Pietrangeli continue. Break Muguruza opening the third; Vika break back; Garbine breaks back again! The set is an impetuous “crescendo” of hard rallies. Now the Spaniard is the first to open the angle in the rally, but the Belarusian defenses are remarkable. Ridiculous Level! Muguruza now 3-2 and serve.

 

17:03 – Muguruza!!! Garbine secures the second set, closing 6-3 in 44 minutes. The ninth – decisive game is sensational! A collection of highlights and TOP emotions, with a ridiculous level of play! Azarenka fights on every ball, rises to 4 break points, but Garbine cancels them all. Muguruza secures the set at the second set point forcing her forehand at its best. 7 total breaks in the set!

 

16:51 – Match numbers: curious that Nole and Dominik finished the match with a balance between winners and unforced errors practically identical! 24 winners each, 38 errors for Djokovic, 40 for Koepfer.

 

16:51 – Game Set Match Nole! He edges out a battling Dominik Koepfer 6-3 4-6 6-3, not the best version of N.1, but it’a victory. Tomorrow will face Casper Ruud in the last four. 11th SF in 14 appearances at #IBI.

 

16:38 – 4-2 Nole ahead of Koepfer. A stone’s throw from the semifinal the n.1. The break in the third game made the gap.

 

16:27 – Azarenka On Fire – Vika serves to close the first set, ahead 5-3. She stays solid ad a rock, secures the set 6-3 and breaks the service game at the opening of the second. What a tennis!

 

16:07 – Here’s a bit of poetry for you: Dominik Koepfer, off to a flyer. He stuns DJOKOVIC in the second set, breaking the N.1 on 4-5. Koepfer pushed as hard as he could with his solid groundstrokes, producing power and control. A solid tennis that has laid bare the tension of the # 1, which collapsed terribly his level after a comfortable start. It’s a three set match. Nole leaves the court, he has to rearrange his ideas…

 

15:55 – Break Point Azarenka. Terrible unforced by Garbine! She shoots so long a backhand rushing toooo much. The first break of the set has come, VIKA ahead 3-1.

 

15:50 – 16 MINUTES for three games … Battle was planned between Vika and Garby, and battle is. This is BRUTAL! Long and hard rallies, right and left for both. Vika hold the serve canceling two break points, goes forward 2-1.

 

15:44 – DJOKOVIC FURY! N.1 loses to love his serve game and violently smashes the racket throwing it to the ground. 3 all, the second set suddenly returns on track.

 

15:30Azarenza and Muguruza just entered on Pietrangeli. Great match ready to start.

 

15:16 – Set Point Djokovic! The n.1 can’t stay focuses all set long, but he secured the first. He leads 4-0, loses two times his serve, but breaks back Koepfer immediately. Novak serves, from 0-30 wins 4 points in a row and closes the set 6-3. 39 minutes. Only 4 winners for the # 1 against 12 errors, not a set played “so well” for his top class.

 

15:07 – The match Ruud – Berrettini ends at the Decider. Berrettini immediately ahead, with a BOOOOM forehand runs 2-0 ahead and then 4-2. At 5-3, Matteo shots for the winner with a fast forehand down the line, but miss the line for a breathe of wind! Here the tiebreak turns: Ruud is a “machine”, doesn’t misses any shot, flies to MATCH POINT on 6-5. Matteo leads the rally with his forehand, but smashes the last one to the net. Ruud wins 4-6 6-3 7-6. What a match!

 

14:41 – Djokovic has just started his match against Koepfer on Central. What performance will the German be able to provide against the “Djoker”? An Everest in front …

 

14:30 – PIVOTAL game for Berrettini !!! Sixth game, Matteo returns with pace, fights and chases. Runs to 15-40, two break points. On the second he plays a slice backhand which is pure poison for Ruud. BREAK Berrettini! 3 All. Now it will be fight to the end.

 

14:05 – Something broke in Matteo’s tennis: the first serve doesn’t work, with the forehand he doesn’t find speed and control. The game moved to Ruud’s favorite theme: long rhythm rallies with high topspin shots. Ruud is in control of the game: Casper breaks Berrettini in the fourth break point. The game seems to travel on the Norwegian track, he leads 2-0.

 

13:50 – Berrettini saves a set point serving below at 2-5, but fails to rush Ruud when he serves for closing. 6-3 Ruud, we go to the third.

 

13:27 – Ruud in control of the second set. Berrettini plays his first game of service poorly, too many unforced and goes down 0-2. Casper controls the rallies with great power on his groundstrokes; Berrettini cannot find the key to break the rival’s rhythm. 3-1 ahead Ruud in the second

 

13:05 – Matteo serves for the set but… 30-40 and a chance for Ruud! What a RISK!?! Matteo wrong the direction of his forehand, but Ruud fails to put it back on court. Berrettini pushes as hard as he could with his groundstrokes and gets the second SET POINT. Long rally, the Italian tries a drop shot, it’s very good, and secures the point with an easy volley. Yup! 6-4  B-E-R-R-E-T-T-I-N-I ! – 17 winners to 5 for the Italian in the first.

 

12:59 – PUTINTSEVA RETIREMENT! Under a break in the second (2-0 ahead Simona), Yulia approaches the net and greets Simona, leaving the match. The Rumanian lands at Semifinal, practically without effort.

 

12:43 – Yulia leaves the Centre Court, calls the medical time out.

 

12:42 – 3 Set Points Simona! She runs 0-40 at 5-2, with Yulia to serve. On the second chance, the Kazakh tries a drop shot but the ball is out of a breath! Not lucky, SET HALEP, 6-2. Simona in total control, she is growing soooo much in the tournament. The opponents are warned .. .. .. .. ..

 

 

12:26 – BREAK HALEP! The match gets fire in the third game. Simona saves two break points and in the fourth one breaks the serve to Putintseva. Now Halep leads 3-1 and serve.

 

12:18 – Off to a hot start Berrettini!!! Matteo breaks Ruud in the first game of the match and saved one break point. He leads 2-0.

 

11:40 – GOOD MORNING! The weekend opens with the quarter-finals of the IBI20. Eight brilliant matches in the two draws. Simona Halep starts on Centre Court against Yulia Putintseva, star of sensational comebacks in the tournament. On Pietrangeli Matteo Berrettini challenges Casper Ruud for a place in the semifinal in his home tournament. In the monumental stadium of Foro Italico will follow Victoria Azarenka vs. Garbine Muguruza (great match) and Elina Svitolina vs. Marketa Vondrousova. Last match of the day Grigor Dimitrov vs. Denis Shapovalov, what a show!

On “Centrale” (not before 14:30) Novak Djokovic will face Dominik Koepfer, the surprise of the tournament. The evening program starts at 19:00: Elise Mertens vs. the 2019 Champion Karolina Pliskova, and not before 20.30 Rafa Nadal opposed to Diego Schwartzman. Eight beautiful matches, stay tuned with us!

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