Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Diego Schwartzman in French Open semi-final in Paris on Friday.
Defending champion Rafael Nadal is through to a 13th French Open final after beating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (0).
The 12th-seeded Argentine won their previous meeting last month in the Italian Open quarterfinals. But this was his 10th defeat in 11 career matches against Nadal.
Schwartzman trailed 3-1 and 4-2 in the third set but rallied to make it 5-5.
Nadal had to save three break points in a tense 11th game lasting 12 minutes.
He is aiming to win a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros and a 20th major title to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record.
Nadal plays top-ranked Novak Djokovic or fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
A victory would give Nadal his 100th win at Roland Garros.
