Diego Schwartzman sent Nicolas Jarry over the net in a rally point at the Argentina Open.
Diego Schwartzman sent Nicolas Jarry flying over the net (Image: Tennis TV)
Diego Schwartzman is set to end his career at this week’s Argentina Open. But his retirement was delayed when he stunned seventh seed Nicolas Jarry in the first round.
The former world No. 8 still had some tricks up his sleeve in his final tournament, as he sent Jarry flying over the net during a crazy rally in the tiebreak.
Schwartzman went on to win 7-6(10) 4-6 6-3 and admitted he was expecting to lose the match.
Last May, the Argentine announced he would retire on home soil at the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires. Schwartzman has been on something of a retirement tour ever since, but his farewell tournament is finally here.
The 32-year-old has barely played since the US Open last September. He took a wildcard into last week’s Rosario Challenger in Argentina but, otherwise, has not competed professionally in five months.
So it’s no surprise that Schwartzman thought he would lose his opening match to Jarry in Buenos Aires, bringing his career to a close. But it was a completely different story, as the former No. 8 proved he could still challenge the top players.
Schwartzman won a tight, 80-minute first set in a tiebreak. While trailing 1-4, he forced Jarry to run around until he finally went flying.
Diego Schwartzman delayed his retirement by winning his opening match (Image: Getty)
The retiring star made Jarry sprint from corner to corner to retrieve the ball before drawing him into the net with a skilful volley. The No. 7 seed got there and returned the ball but, as he hit it, he fell straight over the net.
Schwartzman sent the ball into the empty court for a winner but, because Jarry touched the net, the point automatically went to Schwartzman. “He got there, he just couldn’t stop himself,” commentator Miles Maclagan said of Jarry.
Co-commentator Candy Reid added: “Everyone enjoying that situation, hopefully the Chilean is as well. He’s going to need a bit of a wipe down, it was a long way forward.”
The packed centre court crowd lapped it up, getting on their feet and singing “ole” to spur their man on as Schwartzman and Jarry changed ends.
The Argentine stormed back to take the first set before being dragged into a decider but he still got the job done, extending his career by at least another day.
After earning a three-set victory in his final tournament, the former champion said: “I expected just to lose, to be honest.
“After many months without playing, I played last week in Rosario, I played great tennis. But I didn’t expect to win, being honest.
“I played a great match. I did good points. He was playing I think a bit nervous, more than he does always, and I took the chance in the third.
“Just expected after the match to cry a little bit and be ready for emotions, and not for the win! Now I have to recover and let’s see how I do in the next round.”
Schwartzman will now face Spain’s Pedro Martinez in the round of 16. Martinez is in form after beating Holger Rune en route to the Rotterdam quarter-final last week.
News
NEWS: Fox News Dominates 2024 Cable Ratings, Outshines CNN, MSNBC, And ABC Yet Again
Fox News: Dominating Cable TV Viewership for the Eighth Consecutive Year For the eighth consecutive year, Fox News is set…
Keanu Reeves Notices A Pregnant Waitress Working Hard At A Restaurant, And His Actions Will Surprise You
Keanu Reeves is known for his humble and kind personality, which stands in stark contrast to the ostentatious and self-centered…
BREAKING NEWS: Jason Aldean Kicks Jack Black Off Stage, Calling Him A “Creep” In Explosive Concert Moment
In a dramatic clash between two prominent figures in the entertainment industry, country music star Jason Aldean has made it…
NEWS : Roseanne Barr Turns Down ABC’s Plea To Rejoin “The Conners” – “I’m Not Here To Rescue You”
In a bold move, Roseanne Barr has publicly rejected ABC’s offer to join The Conners, the spinoff series of her original…
Ella Langley Ends 51-Week Drought for Women at No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay Chart
Langley is the first female to top the chart in 2024. Ella Langley; Photo by Caylee Robillard Ella Langley and Riley Green’s…
Bucks’ Doc Rivers gets 100% real about lack of Giannis Antetokounmpo appreciation
Giannis reaches 20,000 points as Bucks dominate, but Doc Rivers believes his greatness is taken for granted. Giannis Antetokounmpo notched another…
End of content
No more pages to load