The pair will meet in the second semi-final at Melbourne Park on Friday
Wednesday 25 January 2017 16:32, UK
Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov will appear in their first Grand Slam semi-finals in years after continuing their smooth progressions at the Australian Open.
For Nadal, the 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 victory against third seed Milos Raonic vindicated the years of persevering through debilitating injuries and lost form.
For Dimitrov, his straight sets win over David Goffin suggested that the Bulgarian might finally be ready to fulfil the hype which has always surrounded his game.
The second quarter-final of the day on the Rod Laver Arena looked, at points, capable of evolving into a five-set epic, but the Spaniard, whose movement on court looked as explosive as at his peak, was able to raise his game when it counted most, and dismiss the top remaining seed.
Just two breaks, in sets one and three, were enough for the ninth seed to ease his way into his first Grand Slam semi-final since 2014.
There wasn't much to separate the 14-time major winner and his young opponent, with two of the game's greatest forehands on display, but experience was the order of the day, as Raonic failed to convert any of his four break points, and was let down by his great weapon - his serve.
The Canadian can usually count upon this lethal shot to whistle through service games and as a get-out clause in times of trouble, but it was vulnerable today, allowing the 2009 champion here his crucial breaks.
Mischa Zverev might have exited at the hands of Roger Federer yesterday, but his legacy remained in the frequent net approaches by both players, who displayed some scintillating shot making throughout.
When it mattered, however, Nadal was consistent when Raonic was not, and - all of a sudden - had three match points on his opponent's serve. He needed just one of them, falling to his knees in delight as the world No 3 netted a forehand.
Just as a returning Roger Federer has admitted incredulity at his success at this event, Nadal confessed to having his own doubts: "I am not a very arrogant person so I always have doubts - it's normal. Even when I was winning a lot I had doubts.
"That's good, because when you have doubts you feel ready to work more.
"I've had a great career but at the same time I've had a lot of tough moments, which makes me enjoy the wins even more."
The Spaniard is finally able to look ahead to a Grand Slam semi-final, after years of early exits:
"Grigor is a great player. Everybody thought that he was goin to be a top top player. and fnially he's starting to play unbelievably - he's playing so well.
"I know last year was a tough year for him. He's very confident and he's playing very well. I know I'm going to have a tough match."
Would he be watching the Federer-Wawrinka semi-final?
"I love the sport. If you don't want to watch this match you don't love the sport.
"To have Roger back in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam is great - especially for him and all the people who love tennis. Congratulations to him for a great effort, and I wish the best of luck to both of them."
Earlier Nadal's next opponent had secured his spot in the final four.
Dimitrov was tipped as a future star when reached No 8 in the world rankings in 2014 after reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon that year but has struggled to fulfil his potential in recent seasons.
However, the 15th seed has been in excellent form in Melbourne and is now one win away from a first Grand Slam final after easing past Goffin 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Goffin saved two match points and played with his usual guile but was unable to derail his opponent, who arrived in Melbourne having won the Brisbane International and is now on a 10-match winning streak.
There was some beautiful shot making from both sides of the net but the momentum was always in Dimitrov's favour, as he sealed the victory in just over two hours with a scorching backhand down the line.
Dimitrov has dropped just two sets in Melbourne, fewer than fellow semi-finalists Roger Federer or Stan Wawrinka - and is producing his smoothest tennis in years.
"The past two years have been a tremendous rollercoaster for me but I'm happy with the way things happened," Dimitrov said.
"Now with each match I've been feeling better and better. It just all comes pretty natural right now. My focus has been good. The mentality has been there. I keep on fighting. I have a good spirit on the court, being positive."
"I understand myself better and I'm appreciating this better now. To be in the semi-final means too much to me right now.
"I feel like I have all the tools to go further and my job isn't over yet," the player, who has been working with Andy Murray's former coach Daniel Vallverdu, said. "I'm looking forward to my match. I think I'm ready to go the distance.
"I don't shy away from that. I'm confident enough to say that as I feel good physically, and overall on the court.
Dimitrov will face either Milos Raonic or Rafael Nadal in the last four.
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