It will be Rafael Nadal against Roger Federer in the Australian Open final after the Spaniard withstood a gritty performance from Grigor Dimitrov to prevail 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 in an exhilarating contest on Friday night in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park. It was an emotional victory for the 30-year-old Nadal, who is through to his first Grand Slam final since winning the 2014 Roland Garros crown – his 14th major triumph. It will be his fourth final appearance at Melbourne Park, having lifted the trophy in 2009, beating Federer in a dramatic five-set finale, and finished runner-up in 2012 (l. to Djokovic) and 2014 (l. to Wawrinka). "It was a fantastic match. Very emotional," said Nadal. "I think...
Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov look forward to competing in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday. Nadal leads 7-1 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.
“It isn’t over yet,” was the message from Grigor Dimitrov after reaching his second Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open on Wednesday. His straight-sets victory over David Goffin was the latest win in what has been a gathering wave of momentum for the Bulgarian, who is unbeaten as yet in 2017. Trusting in the hard work he has done and the team around him, including coach Dani Vallverdu, Dimitrov is ready to go all the way to his first major title at Melbourne Park. “I feel like I have all the tools to go further, and my job isn't over yet,” said Dimitrov, who faces Rafael Nadal or Milos Raonic for a place in the final. “I'm looking forward...
Grigor Dimitrov extended his perfect record in 2017, proving that hard graft during the off-season pays off after reaching his first Grand Slam championship semi-final in three years. The Bulgarian No. 15 seed dominated No. 11 seed David Goffin of Belgium 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over two hours and 12 minutes at the Australian Open on Wednesday, sealing his 10th win of the year with a backhand winner down the line. Dimitrov, who picked up his fifth ATP World Tour title at the recent Brisbane International presented by Suncorp (d. Nishikori) – his first for more than two-and-a-half years, later watched on television as Spanish ninth seed and 2009 titlist Rafael Nadal beat third-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic. [ALSO LIKE] “After the...
Wednesday's Australian Open quarter-final winners will receive the same prize – a semi-final berth – but just how special that last-four appearance will feel should vary for all four players taking the court on Day 10 Down Under. No. 11 David Goffin (BEL) v. No. 15 Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) FedEx ATP Head2Head: Dimitrov leads 1-0 For Goffin and Dimitrov, the next round is almost brand-new territory. Bulgaria's Dimitrov has reached the semi-finals at a Grand Slam only one prior time – 2014 Wimbledon. Goffin will be going for his first semi-final showing. The Belgian fell during his only other Grand Slam quarter-final appearance, 2016 Roland Garros. Dimitrov won their only prior FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting, a four-set win that also...