‘Finally!’ – Pablo Carreno Busta puts on ‘perfect’ display to inflict ATP low for Diego Schwartzman

ATP world number 18 Pablo Carreno Busta has left himself stunned as he put on an immaculate performance to down Diego Schwartzman for the loss of just one game in Bastad, Sweden on Friday. 

The Olympic bronze medallist downed the Argentinian 6-1, 6-0 in a little over an hour to reach the last four of the Nordea Open, before describing the match as his best of 2022.

“I never expected this kind of match against Diego,” the Spaniard admitted after the drubbing. “I probably played my best match of the season. I was very focused al the time, every point, trying to be aggressive and dominate the points.

“And, well, I didn’t make mistakes so it was perfect.”

Known for his consistency, Schwartzman’s has not suffered so heavy a defeat on the ATP tour for six years, since he lost 6-0, 6-0 to Marcos Baghdatis in Houston back in April 2016.

The result for Carreno Busta means he is into the semi-finals of Bastad for the first time in his fifth appearance at the tournament.

“Finally I’m in the semi-finals,” Carreno Busta said with a smile. “It’s a great result after playing so-so for some tournaments. Finally I’m feeling my best tennis on court again.”

Since reaching the final of the ATP 500 Barcelona Open in April, the 31-year-old had three wins from seven events heading into Bastad, including a first round loss at Wimbledon last month.

He now has as many at the Nordea Open alone as he will face Francisco Cerundolo next for a place in the final of the ATP 250 tournament.

This run in Bastad should boost Carreno Busta’s confidence nicely heading into the final clay court ATP 500 event of the season, the Hamburg Open, where the Spaniard is defending champion.

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