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Match details
Fixture: Diego Schwartzman vs Norbert Gombos
Date: 2 October 2020
Tournament: Roland Garros 2020
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Paris, France
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: Approx. €38,000,000
Match timing: Approx. 4 pm CEST, 7.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - NBC Sports / Tennis Channel | India - Star Sports Select / Disney + Hotstar VIP
Diego Schwartzman vs Norbert Gombos preview
No. 12 seed Diego Schwartzman takes on Slovakia's Norbert Gombos in the third round of the French Open on Friday.
Schwartzman had struggled to maintain his early 2020 form after the tour restart on American hardcourts a couple of months ago. He lost in the second round at the Cincinnati Masters, and then crashed out in the opening round of the US Open.
On European clay, however, the World No. 14 has been in remarkable form, as evidenced by his run to the final at the Italian Open in Rome.
The 28-year-old played incredible counterpunching tennis in the Italian capital, picking up his first career win against Rafael Nadal on the way to his first final at a Masters 1000 event. Schwartzman gave a good account of himself there too, but eventually failed to beat Novak Djokovic for the title.
He has carried his claycourt form straight into Roland Garros, winning his first two matches at the tournament quite comfortably.
Schwartzman's opponent on Friday, Norbert Gombos, is ranked No. 106 in the world. While the Slovak is not the most accomplished player, he is by no means an amateur on the ATP tour.
Gombos hasn't exactly set the courts on fire in 2020. But the 30-year-old has found some form at Roland Garros, picking up an impressive four-set win over No. 24 seed Borna Coric in the first round.
Diego Schwartzman vs Norbert Gombos head-to-head
The third-round meeting in Paris will be the first ever encounter between Diego Schwartzman and Norbert Gombos. Their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Diego Schwartzman vs Norbert Gombos prediction
Given his form, superior ranking and previous history on tour, Diego Schwartzman comes into the match as the overwhelming favorite.
The Argentine's trademark speed, footwork and consistency were all crucial in reaching the final at Rome. And they have also been on full display at Roland Garros so far.
Schwartzman has been able to use his weight of shot and on-the-rise timing to push players deep behind the baseline and then finish points with precise putaways.
Gombos, meanwhile, will be looking to use his forehand wing to take advantage of Schwartzman's underwhelming serve in the cold conditions in Paris. But he will be hard-pressed to protect his own serve, given the Argentine's prowess on the return.
All things considered, it is difficult to imagine anything but a Schwartzman win. The Argentine should be able to progress to the fourth round without much of an issue.
Prediction: Diego Schwartzman to win in straight sets.
