Nadal was in ruthless mood on Sunday as he beat Jared Donaldson 6-1 6-1 and he expects a stiffer test against Schwartzman.
“It was a very positive step for me, and the next one is going to be against a player that I know very well,” said Nadal.
“We practised a lot of times, and we played some tough matches.
“[He is] one of the best talents of the sport today. So it’s going to be a tough one against Diego.”
RAFAEL NADAL VS DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN LIVE
FIRST SET
Nadal 5-3 Schwartzman*
Nadal tries another drop shot but this one doesn’t come off for him, 15-15. But a couple of errors from Schwartzman hands Nadal two break points.
Schwartzman goes long with a backhand, challenges it and Hawkeye calls it in.
But he puts a backhand into the net on the second break points and Nadal will serve for the set.
*Nadal 4-3 Schwartzman
Another excellent rally between the two players and it ends with a lovely volley from Schwartzman, 40-30.
But Nadal responds with a deft drop shot to get in front again.
Nadal 3-3 Schwartzman*
Brilliant from Nadal as spots the chance to creep into the net and put a volley. Poor drop shot from Schwartzman is seized on by Nadal, who forces the error. Deuce.
Wonderful hitting from both men in a 13 shot rally leads to advantage Schwartzman. And Nadal goes wide to hand Schwartzman the game.
*Nadal 3-2 Schwartzman
Nadal up to three aces in the match already. Explosive forehand from Nadal leads to gasps from the crowd as gets another love game.
Nadal 2-2 Schwartzman*
Lovely stuff from Schwartzman as he gets Nadal on the run and flicks a forehand into the open space, 30-0.
And Nadal dumps a backhand into the net to concede the game
*Nadal 2-1 Schwartzman
Couple of uncharacteristic errors from Nadal and he is taken to deuce by Schwartzman. But he comes through unscathed again.
Nadal 1-1 Schwartzman*
The first six points have all gone to Nadal as he gets to 0-30. But Schwartzman fights back to lead 40-30.
And he gets on the board when Nadal goes long.
*Nadal 1-0 Schwartzman
Nadal races to 40-0 and finishes the game with a whipped forehand winner. Ominous start…
20:50: Nadal and Schwartzman stride onto the court of their match. Lovely conditions for tennis…
20:35: It is all over between Bertens and Muguruza. And it is Nadal’s compatriot Muguruza who gets through, winning 5-7 6-1 6-4.
20:10: The match between Bertens and Muguruza is currently in a third set decider. The set is 2-2 at the moment.
19:55: Hello and welcome to live coverage of Rafael Nadal’s third match in Indian Wells.
The Spaniard will take on Diego Schwartzman once the first match of the day between Kiki Bertens and Garbine Muguruza concludes on Stadium 1.