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.