Bryan Armen Graham will be along for more Australian Open action tomorrow, as the Williams sisters go head to head on Saturday:
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Here’s a quick match report. That’s all from me today. I’m off to prepare for the final. 2017. Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal. In 2017!
Rafa Nadal wins 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4!
A standing ovation greets the players as they assume their respective positions at either end of the court. Nadal has ball in hand. He’s in control of his own destiny. Dimitrov can only hope. Nadal is three points away when Dimitrov knocks a backhand return wide. Dimitrov’s head has gone. He smacks a forehand long and it’s 30-0. Uncle Toni is encouraging his nephew from the stands. The nephew mishits a backhand. 30-15. Suddenly it’s 30-all. Dimitrov comes up with a good forehand pass. Nadal volleys. Dimitrov clips a backhand past him. Nadal thinks he’s hit an ace. It’s called out and overruled by the umpire. Dimitrov challenges. And ... it’s in! Nadal finally has a match point! But it’s not over yet. Dimitrov takes control with a low forehand, then smashes confidently for deuce. But of course. Nadal earns a second match point, though, a serve down the middle forcing Dimitrov to block a spinning backhand wide. There are four hours and 54 minutes on the clock. A Nadal forehand clips the top of the net. Dimitrov thumps one into the right corner. On we go. Nadal serves wide. Dimitrov stretches and knocks a forehand long. He looks phlegmatic. A third match point, then. They rally. Nadal defends. He runs. He defends some more. And finally, mercifully, at long last, an epic semi-final draws to a close when Dimitrov sends a backhand long. That’s it. It’s all over. There was no denying the legend in the end. He’ll meet another one on Sunday. Despite the admirable Grigor Dimitrov’s best efforts, the Australian Open final will be contested between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
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Fifth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 5-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): It’s gone midnight in Melbourne and the end might just be in sight when Nadal wallops a forehand down the line for 0-15, Dimitrov challenging unsuccessfully. Then comes a double-fault. It’s 0-30. He fights back to 30-all, ignoring the lactic acid, but it’s 30-40 when a Dimitrov forehand clips the net and goes long. Nadal pumps a forehand pass down the line. Dimitrov blocks a volley back into play, but it sits up invitingly for Nadal to barrel forward and crash a backhand down the line to break! He’ll serve for the match! This is agonising for Dimitrov. He’s been so close, but he’s on the brink now.
Fifth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 4-4 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov looks assertive at the start of this game and he’s rewarded for his positivity when Nadal hits a backhand long for 0-15. Nadal is showing signs of strain, overcooking a forehand and sending it wide for 0-30. Nadal wins the next point. Not the one after that, though. Dimitrov whips a forehand into the right corner and earns two break points with a perfectly judged smash. Nadal’s response is a spectacular, clean backhand winner for 30-40. These two. Nadal saves the second break point, bashing a forehand down the line and romping forward to put a volley away. Another volley earns him a game point and he holds when Dimitrov nets a forehand on the run. What a match. Sport!
Fifth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 3-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov begins with an ace down the middle, his 20th of the match. He clenches his fist. But the game goes to deuce. It’s turned into a scrap. Dimitrov needs first serves. He gets one and pushes a forehand away to earn a game point. Then he punches one into the opposite corner to hold. Nadal might be starting to wonder.
Fifth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 3-3 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love. A rare speedy game.
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Fifth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 2-3 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov watches a high ball, pedals back and nails a smash for 15-0. Then he clips an ace out wide for 30-0. But then he misses two backhands. It’s 30-all. The tension rises. Another backhand into the net from Dimitrov hands Nadal a break point, but he’s relieved to see the Spaniard needlessly knock a forehand long. From deuce, a forehand winner and a smash are enough for the Bulgarian to hold. They’ve been going for almost four and a half hours.
Fifth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 2-2 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov appears to be over the cramp. The game goes to 30-all. But Nadal remains relentless as well. A fizzing forehand makes it 40-30 and he holds. Then he frowns. It’s serious.
Fifth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 1-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): At 15-all, Dimitrov appears to cramp in the middle of the point as Nadal hoicks a lob back into play. Somehow he recovers to win the point with a searing forehand from left to right, then makes it 40-15, stopping and dinking a forehand past Nadal at the net. Panic over? An ace down the middle to hold to 15 suggests that’s the case.
Fifth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 1-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): It’s Nadal’s turn to feel the heat as he knocks a backhand long for 0-15. A scorching return from Dimitrov forces Nadal to hit long for 0-30. The next point lasts a lifetime. After 23 shots, Nadal overpowers Dimitrov to make it 15-30, before making it 30-all with an acidic forehand. You sense that Dimitrov’s chance might have gone in this game. Instead he roars after earning a break point with a special backhand. He can’t take it, though, mishitting a forehand that drops long. Deuce. Nadal clings on, punching furiously.
Fifth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 0-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov is immediately under pressure at the start of the decider, netting a volley at 0-15. He responds with an ace down the middle for 15-30, but he’s facing two break points after netting another volley. He saves the first, standing up to a scorching backhand from Nadal with a preposterous forehand down the line for 30-40, and he clambers to the relative safety of deuce when the Spaniard nets a backhand return. Nadal thinks he’s got a third break point when a Dimitrov forehand’s called out. HawkEye shows it was in. Despite a couple of game points, however, Dimitrov is toiling and he does give up that third break point with a floaty drop shot into the net. He’s relieved to see Nadal send a return wide. Eventually he holds, after 13 minutes, wrongfooting Nadal with a forehand.
Grigor Dimitrov wins the fourth set 7-6 to level the match!
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal 4-7 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov takes the second, Nadal unable to return a heavy serve down the middle! He’s won a tie-break against Nadal at the fourth attempt and his reward is a fifth set! Maybe, just maybe, there’s going to be an intruder in Sunday’s final.
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Fourth set tie-break: Nadal 4-6 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov tries to serve and volley. Nadal picks him off with a vicious forehand, saving one set point.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal* 3-6 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov punishes a Nadal mishit, ripping into a forehand and charging forward to put away a volley for three set points!
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal* 3-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov knocks a backhand long.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal 2-5 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Nadal can’t do anything with a wide Dimitrov serve.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal 2-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov judges a high volley well.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal* 2-3 Dimitrov (*denotes server): A deep return from Dimitrov forces Nadal to drag a backhand wide.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal* 2-2 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal sends a blistering forehand down the line.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal 1-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): A crunching backhand from Dimitrov is too hot for Nadal.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal 1-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov whacks a forehand to the left. Nadal challenges. It was in by 0.0000001mm.
Fourth set tie-break: Nadal* 1-0 Dimitrov (*denotes server): A gruelling rally ends with Dimitrov pulling a forehand wide. He’s never won a tie-break against Nadal.
Fourth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-6 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov is serving to stay in the match again, but you wouldn’t think it. An ace makes it 40-0 and although he double-faults to make it 40-15, he holds with a superb forehand. Another tie-break.
Fourth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Tearing into that backhand, Dimitrov moves into a 0-15 lead. How he’d love to force a fifth set. A place in the Australian Open final is on the line here and he’s not going away quietly. The game goes to 30-all. Dimitrov is playing brilliantly here. So’s Nadal. More wonderful hustling ends with Dimitrov netting a backhand slice. Nadal clings on to his serve, reacting well when a Dimitrov shot spoons off the net cord to volley clinically.
Fourth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 5-5 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the match, Dimitrov stuns Nadal with a fierce backhand. Nadal blocks long for 15-0, then he just misses a forehand pass down the line. Two consecutive aces from Dimitrov seal an excellent hold.
Fourth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 5-4 Dimitrov (*denotes server): It’s almost insulting from Nadal when he makes Dimitrov scamper back and forth across the baseline before finishing it off with a delicate drop shot for 30-0. Dimitrov musters some resistance with a monstrous forehand at 40-0, but Nadal holds to 15 and moves a game away from the final.
Fourth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 4-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): An easy hold for Dimitrov, who’s still looking strong. Don’t rule out a fifth set.
Fourth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 4-3 Dimitrov (*denotes server): A forehand error from Dimitrov, a forehand error from Nadal and it’s 15-all. Then comes an exhausting rally. The point’s on Nadal’s racquet. Dimitrov has pretty much given up. Incredibly Nadal steers his forehand wide. It was a gimme. He looks incredulous, but it’s 15-30 and he needs to wake up. He does, smashing for 30-all. He moves to 40-30 and holds with a backhand that clips the line.
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Fourth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 3-3 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov continues to fight, curving an ace out wide to lead 40-30, defending well to stay in the next rally, holding when Nadal drags a forehand wide.
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Fourth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 3-2 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov is still capable of playing some magical tennis and he makes it 0-15 with a backhand down the line. A kicker of a second serve from Nadal is enough to make it 15-all. Back comes Dimitrov, smashing for 15-30, but Nadal responds with a huge serve down the middle for 30-all, before he makes it 40-30 by winning a fantastic rally with a stunning backhand pass down the line. He holds.
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Fourth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 2-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. Dimitrov makes it 30-15 with a cracking backhand down the line, only to send a forehand long for 30-all. He makes it 40-30 with a fine forehand, but the game goes to deuce after an accurate Nadal smash. Dimitrov’s lob was good, Nadal’s smash was better. But Dimitrov holds. He’s refusing to go away just yet.
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Fourth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 2-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): An ace from Nadal makes it 40-0. He holds to 15 when Dimitrov skews a backhand wide and looks determined to give nothing away.
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Fourth set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 1-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all, but Dimitrov shows impressive composure to hold. There’s a danger this set could run away from him after the disappointment of the tie-break, but he’s holding it together for now.
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Fourth set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 1-0 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to 30 in the first game of this set, running feverishly and smashing a forehand into the right corner.
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Rafa Nadal wins the third set 7-6 to lead 6-3, 5-7, 7-6!
Third set tie-break: Nadal 7-5 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Again Dimitrov dictates the rally. He aims a forehand to the left. He aims a forehand to the right. Down the middle. But wherever he places the ball, it keeps coming back. With interest. Nadal is absurd. He’s exhausting. The sheer will of the man breaks Dimitrov down. A big forehand from Nadal, a limp forehand into the net from Dimitrov and there’s the set. Seventy minutes after this set began, we are one away from a Federer-Nadal final.
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Third set tie-break: Nadal* 6-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): An unreal point. Dimitrov is on the offensive again. Nadal’s defensive work takes the breath away. Eventually Dimitrov loops a forehand wide. He challenges unsuccessfully and Nadal has a set point!
Third set tie-break: Nadal* 5-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal nets a forehand! There’s a huge gasp from the crowd!
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Third set tie-break: Nadal 5-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov sends an ace down the middle. Nadal has two serves.
Third set tie-break: Nadal 5-3 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov dominates a baseline rally at first. But Nadal frustrates him and he disappointingly sends a backhand long.
Third set tie-break: Nadal* 4-3 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov cuffs a backhand down the line and forces Nadal to net.
Third set tie-break: Nadal* 4-2 Dimitrov (*denotes server): The court is wide open. Nadal has a smash. But Dimitrov takes a gamble and runs into the right position to receive it. Nadal’s heart stops - but Dimitrov is too far back and nets a forehand. Phew!
Third set tie-break: Nadal 3-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov hits through his forehand well and Nadal blocks long.
Third set tie-break: Nadal 3-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): A huge Nadal forehand forces Dimitrov to miss a backhand.
Third set tie-break: Nadal* 2-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal makes a forehand this time.
Third set tie-break: Nadal* 1-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal misses a forehand. Badly.
Third set tie-break: Nadal 1-0 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov nets a backhand.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 6-6 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love and forces a tie-break. I suspect that Dimitrov has to win it to stand any hope of reaching the final.
Play will resume. It’s not clear what has happened to the spectator. Our thought are with them. Hopefully nothing serious has happened.
“Our office has been living vicariously through your minute by minute reports these last two days. Can you confirm the average number of ball-bounces pre-point on the Nadal serve, to give us the full, frustrating mental picture of watching the Spaniard play?”
I can confirm that I have occasionally drifted off during Nadal’s service games.
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Play has been stopped. Someone in the crowd has collapsed and appears to be receiving treatment from medics.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 5-6 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov tries an ambitious overhead backhand after a Nadal lob, but he’s off balance and gets it all wrong. Another error at 15-all, a forehand into the net, makes it 15-30 and these are dangerous times for Dimitrov, who’s relieved to see Nadal overcook a forehand. Dimitrov moves to 40-30 after another Nadal forehand flies wide, but the game goes to deuce. Dimitrov hangs on. It’s unconvincing, but he holds.
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Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 5-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal wins the first two points. Dimitrov briefly makes a nuisance of himself, but Nadal holds to 15. Meanwhile, here’s a quiz.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 4-5 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Nadal lifts a slice high into the air. Dimitrov leaps and pulls his racquet away at the last time, thinking better of it after realising the ball’s heading wide. Luck is on Dimitrov’s side, it seems. A forehand just lands on the baseline at 15-all, with Nadal convinced it was going out. That gives Dimitrov a platform to set up a 40-15 lead with a gorgeous backhand down the line. He holds to 15. Nadal will serve to stay in the set.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 4-4 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal races into a 40-0 game and seals an unremarkable hold.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 3-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov holds to 15, banging his ninth ace of the match down the middle.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 3-3 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Now Nadal is teetering, his radar off, a couple of loose errors making it 15-30. Another one hands Dimitrov two break points. Nadal saves the first, though, Dimitrov sending a backhand slice long, then he gobbles up the second with a confident volley. Another error hands Dimitrov a third opportunity; another volley denies him. There’s a fourth opening for Dimitrov after he rips a forehand down the line. He takes this one. Nadal sends a forehand wide. Another break. Roger Federer must be enjoying this.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 3-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov is serving with new balls. He appears to like them, clipping an ace down the middle for 15-0. Or so it seems. Two errors later, Nadal leads 15-30, so Dimitrov has to be spot on with his next volley for 30-all. Yet Dimitrov is looking vulnerable. Having given up a break point, he limply sends a backhand slice long.
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Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 2-2 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Despite a couple of outstanding winners from Dimitrov, Nadal is mostly untroubled here, holding to 30. The final point’s a gem. Dimitrov somehow manages to repel Nadal’s boulders for a while, only to knock a tired forehand long in the end.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 1-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov is a little too eager to land the first strike in the rally and Nadal seizes a 15-30 lead. A double-fault from Dimitrov is another gift. Nadal has two break points. Dimitrov calms down. A good serve saves the first. A punchy forehand thwarts Nadal on the second. Dimitrov just about holds. “Rafa might be losing his hair but he’s not lost any of that steely determination, mental strength & time wasting on his serve,” says John McEnerney. “Great set so far by both. Let’s see how Baby Fed handles it.”
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-7, 1-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love. “Both players look a bit jaded,” Debdut Mukherjee says. “In fact, Dimitrov looks sharper.”
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 0-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Nadal simply stands and watches as a Dimitrov forehand sails down the line for 30-0. He didn’t make any effort to go after that. There’s not much he can do about another Dimitrov forehand winner for 40-0. Dimitrov holds to love when Nadal misses a forehand.
Grigor Dimitrov wins the second set 7-5 to level the match!
This is a very strange match at the moment. At 15-all, Nadal balloons a forehand long under little pressure. Dimitrov decides it’s about time the crowd sees some decent tennis. He earns two more set points, reading a Nadal passing shot and volleying superbly and stubbornly at the net. More staunch returning lands Nadal in trouble and the Spaniard, straining to keep the mediocrity at bay, wafts a backhand long! There’s no escape this time. Dimitrov finally has the second set in the bag - it should have been his a long time ago - and this semi-final is all square.
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Second set: Nadal 6-3, 5-6 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov moves into a 30-0 lead. Obviously it’s 30-all a minute or two later. This appears to be heading in only one direction. But Dimitrov resists the seemingly inevitable, making it 40-30 with an ace and holding when Nadal nets a backhand return. Nadal will serve to force a tie-break.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Sloppiness has infected the match, on both sides of the net.Nadal nets a forehand to make it 15-all and shakes his head disbelievingly. Dimitrov can’t take advantage at first, missing a backhand, but he earns a set point when a wonderful defensive backhand down the line forces Nadal to net a low volley. But this is Nadal. Dimitrov pulls him wide with a backhand from left to right. Nadal, miles out of position, just spanks a forehand down the line for deuce. What a way to save a break point. But he’ll have to do it again after Dimitrov, attacking the short ball, puts a volley away. He doesn’t have to do much, though. Dimitrov shanks a backhand. But he earns a third chance, wearing Nadal down during a draining rally. Nadal nets a backhand. Dimitrov is geeing himself up. A good serve out wide from Nadal forces Dimitrov to chip a backhand return long, but a fourth set point arrives when Nadal misses a forehand. This is turning into a very strange match. Nadal saves it with an ace down the middle. Dimitrov challenges, but it clipped the line by this much. From there, Nadal holds. Dimitrov may well have thrown this set away.
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Second set: Nadal 6-3, 4-5 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): An unexpected ad break means we miss the first two points of this game. The action resumes at 15-all and with Nadal whooshing a forehand down the line to make it 15-30. Dimitrov’s tightened up, stiffing a backhand miles past the baseline to hand Nadal two break points. Nadal only needs one. Dimitrov nets a forehand. Ouch.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 3-5 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal looks like he’s sailing to a comfortable hold at 40-15, only to let Dimitrov back in with two wretched forehands. Another one hands Dimitrov a break point. He’s struggling to deal with Dimitrov’s pace all of a sudden. This is incredible. Utterly incomprehensible. Just like Dimitrov, Nadal feels the heat on a break point and melts with a double-fault. What an awful game from Nadal. What a response from Dimitrov. He’ll serve for the second set!
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 3-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov wobbles at the start of this game, a double-fault making it 0-15. Could it be costly? Maybe not. A good second serve forces Nadal to drop a return short and Dimitrov pounces with a rapier forehand. The game goes to 30-all. Dimitrov thinks he’s made it 40-30 with an ace out wide, but a challenge from Nadal shows that it was out and soon it’s 30-40. Dimitrov puts on his game face, though, and saves the break point with a crisp forehand winner for deuce. Nadal earns a second opportunity with a superb backhand down the line, though, and Dimitrov double-faults! Now that’s costly.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 2-4 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to 15 thanks to an ace out wide. There’s still work for Dimitrov to do if he’s going to level this match.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 1-4 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov has made Nadal angry, which is rarely a good move. Nadal grunts and snorts and growls his way into a 15-30 lead. But Dimitrov’s serve is clicking. He hauls himself to 30-all, then bangs down an ace for 40-30. He holds with a huge forehand down the line. “Come on!” he cries. That was mightily impressive.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 1-3 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Dimitrov has made an excellent start to this set and it continues with a couple of outstanding backhand and forehand winners that carve out a 0-30 lead, leaving a few dents in Nadal’s armour. Nadal’s given a time violation before his next serve. He’s fuming. He has words with the umpire. What’s really annoying him, though, is Dimitrov’s quality. Dimitrov finds a wondrous angle with a crosscourt forehand and Nadal slices a backhand wide, giving up three break points. Nadal looks flustered. He sprays a forehand wide and Dimitrov breaks to love!
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Second set: Nadal 6-3, 1-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov looks like he’s got this game under lock and key after winning three straight points. Two slack ones give Nadal a sniff, allowing him back to 40-30, but Dimitrov regains focus to hold with a forehand volley.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 1-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): At 15-all, an astonishing point. Nadal makes Dimitrov run. He really makes him run. It’s painful to watch. By the time it’s done, Dimitrov looks like he’s run a marathon, and worst of all, he still hasn’t won the point. Despite scampering this way and that to retrieve forehand after forehand from Nadal, and even one smash, eventually it’s too much to ask of Dimitrov, who nets. Dearie me. Brutal. Punishing. Utterly worthless in the end. Despite a double-fault at 40-30, Nadal holds with ease.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 0-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): This is a crucial game for Dimitrov. A break here and he might as well start checking flight times. Realising that, Dimitrov remains focused at 15-all, two fine forehands making it 40-15. He holds.
Rafa Nadal wins the first set 6-3!
Dimitrov loops a clever forehand down the line and Nadal awkwardly wonks a backhand long for 0-15, giving the Bulgarian rare encouragement. That belief soon fades away, however, as a frowning Nadal marches into a 30-15 lead. Two set points materialise when Dimitrov knocks a backhand return long. Nadal whips a forehand into the left corner and although Dimitrov scrambles it back, the Spaniard polishes off the point and the set with a killer volley. We are two sets away from that Federer-Nadal final.
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First set: Nadal 5-3 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Dimitrov nails a backhand down the line for 40-0. It’s a lovely shot to watch. Despite butchering a volley for a love hold, he holds to 15. Nadal will serve for the set.
First set: Nadal* 5-2 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Nadal overwhelms Dimitrov with another strong backhand, forcing the Bulgarian to net a forehand. Dimitrov bellows in frustration. Nadal’s simply too strong when it matters at the moment. Soon it’s 40-0. Nadal breezes to a love hold.
First set: Nadal 4-2 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): Dimitrov looked a bit deflated in the previous game, but appearances can be deceiving. He hits three forehand winners to move into a 40-0 lead and holds to 15 with a dismissive backhand winner.
First set: Nadal* 4-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate the break, Nadal does so emphatically, holding to love without breaking stride.
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First set: Nadal 3-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. Then Nadal increases the pace and intensity of the next rally, walloping a backhand past a helpless Dimitrov, who’s facing two break points after netting a backhand. He saves the first with a bullet ace down the middle. But not the second. Dimitrov approaches the net. Nadal sizes him up, works out the angles and measures a forehand down the line. Dimitrov stretches and nets a volley. Nadal breaks.
First set: Nadal* 2-1 Dimitrov (*denotes server): The game starts with another lengthy rally. Nadal cracks first, netting a forehand. He makes up for it with a pinpoint forehand for 15-all. Another one penetrates Dimitrov’s defences. A third sees him hold to 15. This is already a high quality match.
First set: Nadal 1-1 Dimitrov* (*denotes server): At 15-0, Dimitrov produces a Federer-esque backhand squash shot to repel a Nadal backhand down the line, forcing the surprised Spaniard to net a volley. An ace makes it 40-0. Another one sees Dimitrov hold to love. It’s been a nerveless start from the Bulgarian.
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First set: Nadal* 1-0 Dimitrov (*denotes server): And we’re off! Rafa Nadal opens the serving and he’s quickly under pressure after sending a couple of forehands long to make it 0-30. At 15-30, Dimitrov stands up to Nadal in a baseline rally before pulling the trigger brilliantly, spraying a backhand down the line to earn two break points. Nadal saves the first, dominating with his forehand, before hitting a smash at Dimitrov, who nets a backhand. The second goes begging too, Dimitrov pulling a forehand wide. The game goes to deuce. It’s a gruelling, grinding game. Nadal tends to win that type of game. He wins this one.
The players are out. The sun is out. The fans are cheering. It’s almost time for the second men’s semi-final!
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Nadal leads the head-to-head 7-1, although Dimitrov won their last meeting, beating the Spaniard in straight sets in Beijing last year. This is their second meeting at the Australian Open. Dimitrov was close to beating Nadal in the last eight three years ago, only to lose 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2. He had chances to win the third set.
Preamble
Hello. In order to reach a first grand slam final against Roger Federer in almost six years, first Rafael Nadal has to get past the man once known as Baby Fed. No one calls Grigor Dimitrov that nickname any more, of course, not after a couple of years that rather made a mockery of the widely held notion that he was the next Federer, but there are signs that the Bulgarian is returning to the form that once saw him hailed as the rising star of the men’s game. Back in a grand slam semi-final for the first time since Wimbledon 2014, when his smooth, easy style made it seem that it was only a matter of time before he won his first major, Dimitrov has capitalised on Novak Djokovic’s early exit - the world No2 was due to face him in the fourth round before losing to Denis Istomin - by showing signs that he is knuckling down and making the most of his undoubted potential. The 25-year-old has started the year positively. He’s one to watch again.
Now it gets tough, however, because having returned to full fitness after that troublesome wrist injury, Nadal is in the sort of bloodthirsty mood that filled his opponents with dread when he was in his pomp. Where once there was only gloom, as though he was carrying the weight of the world on shoulders whenever he stepped on court, now the Spaniard looks light, free and happy again. The monstrous forehand’s back and so’s the inspiration. Suffice to say, the hunger never went away. But it was a long way back for Nadal, whose struggles in the past few years has seen him slip down the rankings, all the way to the relative ignominy of No9 in the world. It has been almost three years since his last appearance in the last four of a slam. Yet giving up or drifting away into obscurity is anathema to Nadal. His comprehensive quarter-final win over Milos Raonic, the world No3, underlined his renewed threat and it will take an almighty effort from Dimitrov to stop him now. Only a brave man would dare stand in his way.
Play begins at: 7.30pm in Melbourne, 8.30am in London.
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