Rafael Nadal is back in a grand slam semi-final for the first time in three years after dispatching third seed Milos Raonic at the Australian Open
Rafael Nadal
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Melbourne: Rafael Nadal is back in a grand slam semi-final for the first time in three years after dispatching third seed Milos Raonic at the Australian Open.
Nadal has not made the last four of a major tournament since the 2014 French Open but he now stands two wins away from a 15th Grand Slam triumph after beating Raonic 6-4 7-6 (9/7) 6-4. His reward is a meeting with the in-form Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who had earlier seen off Belgium’s David Goffin 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard’s victory also moves him one step closer to a potential ninth grand slam final against Roger Federer, who plays fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the other semi-final today.
Grigor will be tough for Rafa
Dimitrov will certainly be no pushover, however, having continued his superb start to the season by reaching his second grand slam semi-final in Melbourne. But Nadal has won seven of their eight career match-ups and looks to have rediscovered his groove after a turbulent 2016, which was hampered by a niggling wrist problem. His dismantling of Raonic, the highest seed left in the tournament, was impressive and another indication he may be ready to reclaim the title he won on Rod Laver Arena eight years ago.
Nadal lost here in the first round to Fernando Verdasco 12 months ago and admitted to wondering if he might never challenge for major honours again. “I am not a very arrogant person so I always have doubts,” Nadal said.
Milos Raonic
Tense battle
Raonic had beaten Nadal in Brisbane earlier, but he struggled with his opponent’s pace and power, and never looked like mounting a fightback. “I was playing a very difficult opponent. I tried to come inside the court more during the tough moments. He has one of the best top serves on the tour and is able to play aggressive on the return,” Nadal said.
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