rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Australian Open: Nadal survives Dimitrov test to reach semi-finals
This article was first published 10 years ago

Australian Open: Nadal survives Dimitrov test to reach semi-finals

Last updated on: January 22, 2014 13:44 IST

Image: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarterfinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria
Photographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

World No 1 Rafael Nadal was forced to battle back from a set down before he blunted the challenge of Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov with a 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory to advance to his fourth Australian Open semi-final on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Dimitrov showcased the power, court coverage and booming serve that tennis pundits have suggested could take him to the top of the game as he tested Nadal, though, he was unable to capitalise at crucial moments of the match.

Australian Open: Nadal survives Dimitrov test to reach semi-finals

Image: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Rafael Nadal of Spain hug
Photographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

He held two set points in the third only for Nadal to seize the advantage and clinch the tie-break 9-7, then the Spanish left-hander hammered the nail in the coffin of Dimitrov's hopes when he broke in the second game of the fourth.

Nadal held serve to take a 3-0 lead that he never looked like relinquishing and completed victory to set up a mouth-watering clash against either Roger Federer or Britain's Andy Murray for a place in the final.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.