Schwartzman Sets Thiem Final In Vienna

Diego Schwartzman recorded a big win in his bid to reach the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday, defeating fellow London contender Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2 at the Erste Bank Open.

The Argentine saved all four break points he faced to overcome the 2008 runner-up after 74 minutes. The victory is Schwartzman’s 39th tour-level win this year, which equals his personal-best tally achieved in 2017.

“I am very, very happy,” said Schwartzman. “It was not the best few weeks before here, with China and Antwerp. Now I am feeling really good again on court. [I am] feeling solid, patient, aggressive and focussed.

“[I am] trying to do everything good. It is really nice for me to get the confidence again. Having this kind of tournament at the end of the year is really nice.”

Schwartzman adds 120 points to his ATP Race To London score, increasing his total to 2,115 points. The World No. 15 currently sits in 14th position in the Race, 545 points behind eighth-placed Matteo Berrettini (2,660 points). If Schwartzman lifts the Vienna trophy on Sunday, he will collect another 200 points and rise to 12th position in the Race.

Schwartzman will be attempting to win multiple ATP Tour trophies in a single season for the first time. The 27-year-old lifted his third ATP Tour trophy at the Abierto de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex in Los Cabos two months ago.

Schwartzman will face home favourite Dominic Thiem in the championship match. The Buenos Aires native owns two FedEx ATP Head2Head victories from six encounters against the World No. 5.

”Tomorrow is not going to be the same with the crowd cheering for me every time in these four matches,” said Schwartzman. “Tomorrow is the home guy. We played this year in Buenos Aires and it was crazy. It was a big match and I beat him. Now I play him in his home, for the third time this year, against my friend in the final of this kind of tournament. Everything is so nice for us and I am really going to enjoy it.”

Schwartzman claimed two service breaks in each set to advance to his seventh tour-level championship match (3-3). The three-time ATP Tour titlist soaked up the pressure from Monfils with consistent play from the baseline and held his ground on break points, moving the Frenchman across the court to create space and extract errors.

Monfils was aiming to boost his own chances of booking a spot at The O2 in London. With 2,350 points, the Frenchman travels to the Rolex Paris Masters in 10th place in the Race. Monfils trails Berrettini by 310 points.