PARIS – South Africa’s Kevin Anderson’s French Open came to an abrupt halt on Monday.
Diego Schwartzman fought back from two sets down to defeat South Africa’s top player 1-6 2-6 7-5 7-6(0) 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time in his career.
The Argentine prevailed in three hours and 51 minutes.
It has been fifty-one years since a South African men's player reached the French Open quarter-finals and Anderson blew a two-set lead to ensure that wait goes on.
Anderson, who had his opportunities to seal the victory, served for the match on two occasions against Schwartzman.
Diego Schwartzman defeated South Africa's Kevin Anderson at the French Open at Roland Garros. Photo: Caroline Blumberg/EPA
Meanwhile, Spain's Rafael Nadal, who will play Diego Schwartzman in the next round, celebrated his 32nd birthday on Sunday with a win over Germany's Maximilian Marterer to reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garos.
The world number one's 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) victory over the world number 70 saw him equal the record of 12 last-eight appearances at Roland Garros, which was set by Novak Djokovic the day before.
Top seed Nadal, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, is now on his own in third on the all-time list for most match wins at Grand Slam events with 234 victories after passing Jimmy Connors.
. @RafaelNadal rolls into QFs!
The Spaniard collects a milestone 900th career win with a 6-3 6-2 7-6(3) victory over Maximilian Marterer. #RG18 pic.twitter.com/LXGtalXxCJ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2018