PARIS – Rafael Nadal lost a set at the French Open for the first time in three years as Argentinian Diego Schwartzman claimed a surprise 6-4 lead in their quarter-final clash on Wednesday.
The 10-time champion had won 37 consecutive sets at Roland Garros since his 2015 quarter-final defeat by Novak Djokovic, but dropped serve three times to the enterprising Schwartzman.
Have no fear, Diego is here. @dieschwartzman surprises Rafael Nadal and takes the first set 6-4,
ending his streak of consecutive sets won in Paris at 37.
Léger séisme sur le Chatrier ! Rafa Nadal vient de perdre son tout premier set de l'édition 2018 ! 6-4 Schwartzman #RG18 pic.twitter.com/fqy8tqV5Wl
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2018
The 11th seed, who had fought back from two sets down against Kevin Anderson to make the last eight, took his third set point with a rasping forehand up the line, after being made to wait when a spectator fell ill in the stands.
World number one Nadal, who made 14 unforced errors and struck just four winners in the opener, has only lost two French Open matches in his career.