Wimbledon 2017: Schwartzman suffers straight sets defeat

Diego Schwartzman couldn’t make it third time lucky on Tuesday evening as was beaten in straight sets in what was his third appearance at SW19.

The Argentine – the world’s number one top-ranked Jewish player – faced an ominous task in taking on Grigor Dmitrov – and while the first set proved to be a competitive one – the Bulgarian number 13 seed winning it on a tie-break, the second and third sets were more routine affairs as Schwartzman lost them both  6-2, 6-2.

Saying how he felt the conditions played its part on his game, Schwartzman told Jewish News: “It was a tough match for both of us, neither of us played good tennis. The conditions were tough, really fast and we spoke about it that at the end of the match – the conditions weren’t so good to play, but at the end of the day he played a bit better than me.”

Believing his opponent’s experience contributed to the loss, he said: “The difference with the surface here and at the practice courts was a big one, he’s also played more matches on this surface and I think he won because he knows the surface a bit better than me, these conditions aren’t really suitable for my game.”

His third appearance at the Championships – and third straight defeat, he does though, he says, enjoy playing on grass. “I really enjoy it”, he said. “I had a match point to reach the second round in Eastbourne, and today I think the in first set, I played some good tennis, I had the chance to close the first set, but it was really tough. When he upps the pace slightly, it’s hard to play against players like him.”

Also having to play against a serve which reached 130mph on occasions, he said: “I also have a good return, but it wasn’t the best day for me on the return, because the conditions were really fast.”

Despite his 100 percent losing record in SW19, he says he does enjoy playing there, “I always enjoy it here, the tradition is nice and I really enjoy it.”

While he still has the doubles here, further ahead, the 24-year-old who’s ranked 37 in the world, is looking to take things slowly: “I try to keep improving my tennis, will keep focussed to practice and do everything to win matches in the next tournament.”