Rafael Nadal avoided becoming the latest victim of an Australian Open upset with a battling four-set win over Grigor Dimitrov.
The world number one coped with a severe blister on his racquet hand and saved three set points in the third set to win 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (9-7) 6-2.
"I was so lucky,"said Nadal. "He missed an easy forehand and another one."
He will play the winner of Wednesday's late match between Andy Murray and Roger Federer in Friday's semi-finals.
The Spaniard admitted the blister was affecting his game, "especially with the serve".
"With the serve, I feel the racquet goes," he said. "But it's fine. I will try and improve the hand tomorrow and then try to be ready for a tough match against Roger or Andy.
"It's not a problem in practice, the blister is much better but if I am not playing with protection, it can be much worse."
Nadal, trying to win a 14th major title, had looked in trouble after losing the first set against Dimitrov. Read more..
Source: Sports News
No comments:
Post a Comment