“Going To Hit Me”: Diego Schwartzman Reveals Locker Room Moment With Dominic Thiem After His Taxing Win at French Open 2020

French Open favorite Dominic Thiem survived a major scare in his fourth-round fixture. The Austrian was put to the test by Hugo Gaston, who also happened to be the only Frenchman remaining in the men’s draw. Thiem will now face his good friend Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals and the latter had a cheerful reaction when talking about his upcoming clash.

Diego Schwartzman has been simply stunning at Roland Garros this year. The Argentine is yet to drop a set with his latest victory coming against Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round. On the other hand, Hugo Gaston became the first player to win a set against Dominic Thiem in French Open 2020.

Thiem has utterly dominated so far and has now marched into his fifth straight Roland Garros quarterfinals. The 2020 US Open champion got past the Gaston test, but he now has to lock horns with his former doubles partner Diego Schwartzman. 

28-year-old Schwartzman reacted to Thiem’s victory in his press conference and informed about a cheeky moment they shared in the locker room. “Was an amazing match. Impressive game from Hugo Gaston after the first two sets,” Schwartzman began. He then moved into the part where he met Thiem after his five-setter.

“Domi arrived and we were kidding, ‘Okay, this is the last time we talk to each other until Tuesday.’ He was going to hit me in my legs but nothing happened. Just a smile and I’m very happy because of him,” Schwartzman added. “He’s playing amazing tennis. Today was a great match and a tough match for him.”

Diego Schwartzman is positive about his chances  against Dominic Thiem 

Dominic Thiem has been brilliant throughout 2020. He is now the only player (both ATP and WTA) to have reached the quarterfinals of all majors this year. Hugo Gaston came close to stopping Thiem with his incredible drop shots, but failed at the very end. 

Looking at Gaston put up a fight against Thiem has opened up new levels of confidence for Diego Schwartzman. He’s been to the quarter-finals in Paris before and has no problems in facing a player of Thiem’s quality. 

“How I’m playing the last two weeks on clay, I have chances. So I have to see how Hugo Gaston today had a good 3rd and 4th set against Domi and try to do similar things and try to keep Domi behind the baseline because I know when he starts to get really aggressive, its really tough to beat him,” Schwartzman mentioned. 

Two great friends will battle it out for a place in the semi-finals at the French Open 2020 this year. Dominic Thiem has a commanding lead in overall meetings with Diego Schwartzman. Will he be put to a halt in the last eight?