Rafael Nadal vs Diego Schwartzman RECAP: World No 1 trails by a set as rain suspends play

There looks like there will be no stopping Rafael Nadal at the French Open this year as he has started his campaign in blistering form.

The world No 1 has yet to drop a set and he will be relatively fresh going into his quarter-final showdown with Schartzman.

Nadal is only three games away from winning his 11th title at Roland Garros - but he is expecting a tough fight against his Argentine friend in the last eight.

“He's No 12 in the world,” Nadal said.

“It's a match against one of the best players of the world today, so what you expect is a very tough match and you need to be ready to accept that's going to be a tough match and fight for it.

“I know what I have to do. Then is tough to make that happen, because he's so good. But I hope to be ready to play at my best, and let's see what's going on.

“Always is a tough player and is always good to see him in the quarter-final because he's a good friend, good person.

“He's a worker, and I happy to see him having all this success. Hopefully not too much (laughter).”

Rafael Nadal vs Diego Schwartzman - PLAY SUSPENDED

18:37: Play will resume on Thursday with Nadal two points away from winning the second set and leveling the match.

It will also give Nadal a chance to rest his wrists if he is carrying a problem.

18:30: Play has been suspended for the day - "We regret to announce that, due to adverse weather conditions, the matches in progress have stopped and play will not resume today at Roland-Garros."

18:25: New update from the Roland Garros Twitter account - "There will be no play before 7:30pm local time."

18:00: An update from the Roland Garros Twitter account - "The rain has returned, and play has been suspended. There will be no play before 7:15pm local time."

17:50: With dark clouds overhead the chances of more play this evening is unlikely.

SECOND SET

(*denotes server)

*Rafael Nadal 4-6 5-3 Diego Schwartzman

Serving for the set, Nadal gets to 30-15 but play is suspended again due to rain.

Rafael Nadal 4-6 5-3 Diego Schwartzman*

The Schwartzman of the first set and a half has gone AWOL.

Nadal has won 13 of the last 15 points. And breaks again.

*Rafael Nadal 4-6 4-3 Diego Schwartzman

Schwartzman is going through a dip and Nadal is taking full advantage.

The Spaniard is now favourite to win the set.

Rafael Nadal 4-6 3-3 Diego Schwartzman*

Nadal makes a fast start, getting to 0-30. But Diego Schwartzman makes it 30 all with a brilliant backhand down the line.

'Come on' shouts Nadal as he gets a break point but Schwartzman hits back with a forehand down the line on the run.

Schwartzman has a chance to consolidate the break but hits a forehand into the net.

OMG. Schwartzman makes a huge error. Nadal's shot looked to be drifting wide but Schwartzman decided to play the shot and hit it wide.

And he is made to pay as Nadal breaks back.

17:28: Game on!

17:20: The players are back out on court and warming up again. Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is in the crowd as well.

17:05: The ball kids are sweeping the court and there is a restart time of around 17:15.

16:40: Play has now been suspended because of the rain. Perhaps a reprieve for Nadal, who needs to mount a response after the break.

*Rafael Nadal 4-6 2-3 Diego Schwartzman

It's been an error strewn match and Nadal slips to 0-40.

After missing on his first chance Schwartzman breaks again with yet another forehand winner. Incredible stuff.

Rafael Nadal 4-6 2-2 Diego Schwartzman*

Play continues despite the rain falling. And Schwartzman is continuing to look the part so far.

He races into a 40-0. But three errors mean the game quickly moves to deuce. And then a break point for Nadal. 

Schwartzman saves the first. But Nadal gets another chance to break back. And the Argentine gifts it with a wild backhand miss.

*Rafael Nadal 4-6 1-2 Diego Schwartzman

Nadal isn't showing too many signs of having a serious injury problem but he is making some uncharacteristic errors.

Schwartzman gets to deuce with a HUGE forehand. Then Nadal goes wide with what should have been a routine forehand.

Break point Schwartzman. And Nadal hands it to him a another wayward forehand.

Rafael Nadal 4-6 1-1 Diego Schwartzman*

Few spots of rain on the Philippe Chatrier court and the umbrellas are going up in the stands.

Schwartzman is taken to deuce but a forehand winner and a miss from Nadal levels the set.

*Rafael Nadal 4-6 1-0 Diego Schwartzman

Losing that first set ends a run of 37 consecutive sets for Nadal. And world number one then received strapping on both his wrists from the trainer in the changeover.

Despite that, Nadal holds his serve to 15.

FIRST SET

Rafael Nadal 4-6 Diego Schwartzman*

Nadal speaks to the medical trainer before coming out but opts not to receive treatment. Is there a problem?

But Schwartzman shows no signs of a concentration lapse, moving to 40-15.

Nadal saves them both and gets a break point. But the Spaniard hits a backhand long. Deuce.

Magnificent smash by Schwartzman to earn a third set point. 

There's a stoppage in play as it appears someone in the crowd is ill. What a time for this to happen.

And again Schwartzman shows his mental strength to keep his focus to hit a blistering forehand winner and win the first set.

*Rafael Nadal 4-5 Diego Schwartzman

Schwartzman's ability to generate extra speed on his forehand is causing Nadal all sorts of problems.

And the Argentine earns a chance to break for the third succesive game. AND he takes it.

Two punishing deep forehands put Nadal on the backfoot and Schwartzman gets the break with a cross court winner. He will now serve for the set.

Rafael Nadal 4-4 Diego Schwartzman*

For all his great work on Nadal's serve, Schwartzman is struggling on his own.

And once again he fails to hold onto his serve as four unforced errors cost him dearly.

Back on serve in the first set.

*Rafael Nadal 3-4 Diego Schwartzman

Schwartzman breaks AGAIN and it courtesy of more great tennis. He moved to 15-40 and held his nerve in a long rally before finishing the point at the net.

Rafael Nadal 3-3 Diego Schwartzman*

Easy hold for the Argentine including a gorgeous lob over Nadal.

*Rafael Nadal 3-2 Diego Schwartzman

Full credit to Schwartzman as he creates a break point opportunity again but Nadal withstands the pressure on his serve to hold.

Rafael Nadal 2-2 Diego Schwartzman*

Schwartzman's joy was shortlived as he fails to back up his break with a hold.

Nadal immediately breaks back like the champion he is.

*Rafael Nadal 1-2 Diego Schwartzman

Wow! Schwartzman breaks in just the third game!

The Argentine produced a wonderful forehand winner to take two break points and finishes it at the first attempt!

Rafael Nadal 1-1 Diego Schwartzman*

Superb service game from Schwartzman as he levels the score by only dropping one point.

*Rafael Nadal 1-0 Diego Schwartzman

We’re underway in Paris on the Philippe-Chatrier Court.

Nadal faces an early threat as Schwartzman had a go at a break point in the opening game.

But the Spaniard fought back to see of the challenge. Tasty start as Nadal wins the game with a neat baseline stroke into the corner.

2.30pm: Good afternoon and welcome to a gloomy Roland Garros where we have just about avoided the rain so far today.

Rafael Nadal is expected out on Court Philippe-Chatrier any moment now as Maris Sharapova has just been dumped out of the women’s draw by Garbine Muguruza.