It can never be considered a complete surprise to see Rafael Nadal in the latter stages of a Grand Slam, but this bottom-half semifinal at the Australian Open could not have been anticipated by many when the fortnight began. It will be Nadal vs. Grigor Dimitrov on Friday.
Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov will be squaring off for the ninth in their careers when they collide in the Australian Open semifinals on Friday night.
Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series 7-1, including 4-1 on hard courts and 1-0 in Melbourne. They faced each other in the quarterfinals of this event three years ago, when the Spaniard prevailed 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(7), 6-2. Dimitrov finally got on the scoreboard in this matchup with a 6-2, 6-4 rout last fall in Beijing, but that came during a stretch in which Nadal somewhat inexplicably played two fall-swing tournaments in between the U.S. Open and a premature end to his season because of a wrist problem.
It’s safe to say the 14-time major champion has recovered nicely from the injury that forced him out of the French Open after two rounds and prevented him from playing Wimbledon. Nadal won the six-man Abu Dhabi event a few weeks ago, lost a three-setter to Milos Raonic in the Brisbane quarters, and then avenged that defeat by beating Raonic 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-4 on Wednesday. The world No. 9 preceded that result with wins over Florian Mayer, Marcos Baghdatis, Alexander Zverev (five sets), and Gael Monfils.
Dimitrov is through to his second career slam semifinal (Wimbledon in 2014) thanks to defeats of Matthew O’Connell, Hyeon Chung, Richard Gasquet, Denis Istomin, and David Goffin. The 15th-ranked Bulgarian is an amazing 10-0 this year, having warmed up for the Aussie Open by capturing the Brisbane title.
“He’s a player that has been on the tour for a lot of years already,” Nadal said of Dimitrov. “He’s a player that has an unbelievable talent; unbelievable potential. He started the season playing unbelievable. (It) is going to be a very tough match for me. I hope for him, too. I’m going to try to play my best because I know he’s playing with high confidence.”
What’s more unbelievable is that six of the eight semifinalists–three on the men’s side and three women–are into their 30s. That includes Nadal and Roger Federer. If a dream Nadal-Federer final is derailed, it likely won’t be Dimitrov holding responsibility. He does not have the same firepower like that of Raonic or Zverev with which to seriously trouble the former world No. 1. Nadal actually finished with more winners than Raonic in the quarterfinals, an obvious indication that he is playing the correct way: offensively.
More of the same from Nadal would be more than enough to get past Dimitrov.
Pick: Nadal in 4
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who ya got?
once again hoping Nadal. he looked good against Raonic
Nadal in 4.
Should be a good match though.
Dimitrov is full of confidence, he never play with Nadal is such form, your preview is overestimating Nadal because of what he did against an extreme out of form Milos last night. I would say Dimitrov in 4 or 5 at the most .. yes he will face Roger in the Final !!!
Absolutely, I think just look at Raonic’s serve yesterday – he barely pulled out any aces and his first serve was not well placed throughout the match.. That was his fault, not Nadal’s pressure.
Very likely rafa in 3 or 4..Hopefully 3..rafa needs to save his energy as much as possible..he’s already at a disadvantage with the schedule..oh well…hope 2009[2:0] will happen once again…KEEP CALM AND LOVE RAFA!!!!
Dimitrov is playing amazing but Nadal has gone to another level and is a really bad matchup for him.
There’s simply no solution to the lefty to the RH single backhand unless you have a backhand like Wawrinka and even then its probably impossible when Nadal is playing like this.
Nadal should be 1.30 IMO.
If it was on clay I would definitely go for Nadal, but on hard surface Dimitrov has big chance to take the match.
Dimitrov in 4
Dimitrov in five
Nadal lost his last match to all 3 of his last opponents. Raonic, Dimitrov and Federer so there’s significant revenge factor in all these matches.
Nadal at his best takes care of everyone excluding Djokovic. Djokovic and Nadal at their best are dead even IMO.
Nadal in 3 or 4.
Nope, Rafa better than Djoko on clay; Djoko better than Rafa on Hcs.
I agree with lucky.
Got to break it down surface wise. On clay Rafa’a best >> Djokovic’s. On slow-medium HC’s, Djoko has the upper hand. However, I think Rafa’s best on the USO hard courts trump’s Djoko’s. Indoor courts, yeah Djokovic is superior of course.
Nadal start take is magig stuff again . He looks too good .
magic stuff?
Yep , his megic stuff ,
I don’t think you need to break it down by surface. They’ve had plenty of matches on all surfaces where its gone to the wire and there’s and the result has been decided by millimeters.
That to me suggests that regardless of surface there’s very little separating these 2 in terms of world class ability.
Yes you are right that it is a very very close rivalry but of course there is a need to break it down by surface. Nadal on RG is a totally different player. DJokovic has had total control of slow-medium hard courts and Fed used to have grass in his heyday.
And remember, we are talking about comparing the ‘best’ levels of both players.
That’s correct, very little separating their best levels. There’s no need to bring surfaces into the equation.
I agree with Mark. People beg the question by looking purely at the results, but looking at the score line, I think Nadal is better on clay and even on other surfaces with Djoko. Splitting the USO from other hard courts proves my point that assessment is made on who beat who where and when so simply because Nadal is 2:1 up at the USO, VR has removed it from his equation.
Djokovic has become as much Rafa’s thorn as Rafa has been for Roger. Novak’s won his last 7 matches against Rafa, and if both were playing at their peak, then Novak wins on grass and hard courts 60-40, and Nadal wins on clay 70-30.
The thing is they’re not going to meet on grass! What’s the point of comparing them on grass?
The last seven times they met, i.e. from 2015 to 2016, Rafa was clearly in a slump. It’s now looks like Rafa in on a comeback but Djoko is going the downward slope so we shall see how things turn out the next time they meet.
I would have paid a lot more attention to those 7 losses in a row if it were only Djokovic who was beating Rafa in that stretch. Problem, he was losing to so many other players! The problem wasn’t Djokovic, the problem was Rafa’s level. He was just not playing at a high enough level.
Nadal has been injured or recovering from injury for most of the last 4 years.
When they both play at their peak and on grass? Nah, Rafa’s peak on grass was in 2008; that Rafa >> then Fed or Peak Djoko on grass!! Djoko never as quick as Rafa or Fed on grass during their peak.
Lets not bother with the Nadal/Djoko comparisons, except they are both wholly reliant on maximum physical fitness or their games fall off badly. I think Raonic was slightly injured yesterday, not that it excuses him for the 2nd set muck up.
Dimitrov can certainly win if he is aggressive enough, there’s no point getting in to long rallies behind the baseline even though he often beats players like that.
‘wholly reliant on maximum physical fitness’. Yeah,as if Federer has been winning slams when lacking fitness…. who doesn’t need full fitness?!
Exactly VR, some people talked as if Fed just float around effortlessly! My goodness, they don’t even want to know how much effort Fed put in his training and in improving his fitness.
Fed was still fit enough to go five sets vs Stanimal despite him being four years older, and outlasted Kei over five sets the other day, clearly his fitness and stamina did play a part in his matches.
Dimitrov cant win IMO. I give him less than 10% chance.
That goes for any player. Best requires fitness. End of.
Dimitrov is playing well now a days.
Expect Tough match.
Hoping for Roger vs Rafa Final.
Why am i feeling this semi sill be like 2009 semi against Verdasco? That was Rafa at his peak and no one thought VErdasco will trouble him so much..but he took him to 5 ..and lost 6 4 in 5th
Rafa was a much less aggressive player back then than he is now. Not saying it won’t go to five, but I don’t think we’ll see a brutal slugfest this time around. At least I hope not!
I agree that Rafa was less aggressive back then. He was also a lot younger and able to battle in long baseline rallies. He can’t play that attritional style of play at this stage of his career.
It can’t be a brutal slugfest. Also, Dimi is not Nando as he was back then. Different players. I don’t see why anyone would think this will be like the 2009 AO semifinal.
It could go 4 or 5 sets. That is possible. Dimi is confident and playing very well. But Rafa has something bigger to play for. We all know what happened in the 2014 AO final with Rafa. This is his chance to fo it again.
I’ve got a bad feeling about this one….
Oh please don’t say that!
I have only good feelings.
this match will be tough, but given the way Rafa played against Raonic, he will prevail. And that level is enough to wear down the old man in the finals. #15 is his to lose
atul,
That is the way I am thinking about Rafa’s match with Dimi. Rafa is getting better with every match and his fighting spirit is as strong as ever. I think it’s natural to get nervous as Rafa is only one match from the final. I don’t think anyone expected this. But Rafa is playing like his old self now. I think he is so close that he can taste it.
I hope Rafa shows up as against Raonic. I agree that if he does he’ll win despite Dimi’s good run.
Can’t believe it’s been 6 years since the last Fedal final….
Keep calm, stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight courageously, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3ILTnGXEAAZqph.jpg
… and play dry, Rafa!
https://rafaelnadalfans.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/nadal-vs-carreno-busta1.jpg
So Ricky now has Rafa winning AO because, Ricky would never pick Roger over Rafa 😉
Best of luck Rafa! Dimitrov will be tough. He is really quick and will make Rafa play a lot of balls. Rafa’s forehand will need to be firing but the error count can’t be high. I am happy with how he is returning serve so that should be good enough to counter Dimi’s serve.
Rafa’s forehand and serving are key. His backhand is going ti hold up fine but the deciding weapons are forehand and serve. Rafa is hitting the spots so well with his serve and constructing points.
I think Rafa will be pushed but will find the answers.
Need to punish that one hander of Dimi. D
Rafa in 4 sets.
I’ve got Rafa in 4. He is returning so well and just playing at a high level. I hope Fed wins the final, but I think Rafa is going to win his 15th slam instead.
Hoping for a Fedal final, and a good one despite nerves.
How right Rafa has been for not giving up on the possibility to get back to this kind of level through several years of difficulty. Winning 15 would (will) give him the kind of momentum he needs. Assuming a Fedal final.
As far back as 12 years ago many were writing Rafa’s career off, saying he’d last another 2 years tops.
Not to tempt fate or over confident over this..everyone knows anything can happen,this is sport after all but to me..IF rafa can handled Zverev when he is still lack of matches and his confidence is not this high[i also know,some said rafa was lucky because sascha got a cramp in a perfect time]..but,even sascha don’t have a cramp at that time,i still believe that rafa will fight till his last blood and when he has that determination and grit,we know what the outcome after that…So,my logic is that..sure Dimi can make an upset tonight but he has to face the GIANT in front of him first…and Rafa atm is almost the BEAST that he is once known and famous with …so….
Vamos Rafa
vrael is in the house!
Shireling saying bad feeling has stressed me totally. Whenever he says bad feelings Rafa loses (:-
I had a look at the ao 14 dimi rafa match. The relentless pounding on dimitrovs backhand gradually wore him down and rafa was also nursing blisters at the time. I would be more nervous if rafa had to face the likes of nishikori or goffin. Here rafa has the tried and tested solution of bashing forehands into the shbh. In spite of all that if grigor and then if roger can turn it around in a five set match u just got to doff the hat and say too good
Terribly nervous. Not sure why.
Want this title really bad for Rafa..even more than the 10th RG.
I want Rafa as double career slam holder desperately.
If asked to choose that Rafa has to win only 1 GS more, I will choose AO for the double career slam.
Probably because he is in a position where it is his title to lose just like we thought when djoko exited at ao 14. Considering how the slams have gone for him we never know when the stars will align and he will have such an excellent opportunity.
not to mention the fact that rafa does not seem to catch a break at the ao ever. Injuries in 06 10 11 13 and 14. Undercooked in 15 16.
I am hopeful the stars will align for rafa at this ao. No murray and djokovic to go through while just returning on the tour. Surely if this path had been given him at the beginning of the tournament we would have taken it.
Yes vmk1, injury in 10, 11 in qtrs(the 11 injury derailing his 4 in a row), ultra close match lost to Novak in 2012, 2014 when we all thought it is his, he got injured in final.
So AO has been unlucky for him.
I hope God rewards him this time and helps him get through the finish line.
Vmk1,
That is what I was saying about that 2014 AO match with Dimi. Rafa had that terrible blister and couldn’t get the feel of the racket during that match. That was one reason it was so tough. I remember that his team had to come up with another solution for the blister so he could get through the semis with Fed. They did figure it out and Rafa played much better.
We know that Rafa will not take Dimi for granted. I think he will be ready. I also don’t understand why Rafa losing to Dimi in Beijing gets brought up. Rafa was dealing with the wrist injury and had to pull the plug on the season. That was not Rafa at his best.
I hope that I can get through this!
NNY it should be much better than the match against Raonic. At least here Rafa has a chance to get his grit into play and slug it out. In case of Raonic, one bad game and you could lose a set. To get that match done in straight sets was such a huge relief. Unless Grigor turns into a superman, it should not be as tough today. But then no Rafa match is easy to watch when not on clay
I am trying to recollect how many single handed backhanders has rafa lost to in slams apart from wawa recently. Youzhny and roger come to mind but that was a long while ago. Darcis too but on grass
There’s no way Nadal will let this go to 5 sets. He will pound the hell out of Dimi’s backend if he ends up winning a set.
But there’s no way Dimi doesnt snatch the set with the way he is playing so the most likely result is Nadal 3:1
The bookies kidding themselves if they think Nadal is less probability than a coin toss to win the Open.
Should be 1.60 IMO
“Pound the hell out of Dimi’s backend”. LOL!
If Nadal wins tonight I expect the odds for the final to be
Nadal 1.60
Fed 2.30
Hey Nny…Are u there??Come on out now!rafa will start in just a moment…Give me your hands now!VAMOS RAFA!!!BRING IT ON!!!
0-15
1 BP saved
Wooohoooo!!!Nice start rafa!!!No matter how hard Dimi fight,rafa will broke his will in the end…Insyaallah..
1-0, somehow
Once again rafa applied the same tactics like he played Milos by stepping closer to the baseline on Dimi’s serve..Hope it will bring success once again..
so far no
3-1
Awww!c’mon Ricky!It’s only 2 game!ha ha ha..
2-1
WOOOOHOOOO!That delicious BH!!
YES!!!BROKE NOW!!
See Ricky!It’s working!
Break Rafito! If it were 201 he would give it right back here. Let us see
Nny!Where r u??It’s okay..u can come out now!!Rafa once again on fire!!U’re going to miss this excitement!!!
MA,
I am here! I just woke up!
Omg! Federeresque hold!
Vamos!!!!
I am trying to wake up! Rafa broke already?
Come on Rafa!
YES!!!1 more game rafa!!!
5-2
What? Is that score right?
Go Rafa!
Nny!!!Where have u gone??rafa almost win 1 set!!I told u it’s okay to come out…
MA,
I am here! I can’t believe it!
Relentless on Dimi’s backhand. Vamos!
Great thing is Rafa is opting to serve upon winning the toss.
Oh Nny!!!BELIEVE IT!!!WOOOOHOOOO!!!
DImi has practiced his backhand DTL a lot it looks like. Fed will be doing the same haha
Now be a good boy and hold your serve, Rafa.
No Rafa match can be complete without Robbie Koenig commenting that Djokovic’s dhbh has made life hell for Rafa
YES!!!That trademark FH!!BRING IT ON BABY!!Did u see that Nny??
MA,
I am seeing it! Maybe Rafa decided he didn’t want me to be a nervous wreck!
He looks on fire!
WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!YES!!!1st set Nny!!!
17 of 19 first serve points for Rafa!
My God, Rafa is playing like a man possessed!
First set Rafa!
?
At this level, nobody can stop him from #15. Don’t let intensity dip, Rafa. The first game of the second set is always tricky for him when he wins the first. Hoping it will be an exception this time.
6-3 in 24 minutes
Has to guard against loss of concentration now. That was quick and efficient. A break at the start will be perfect
rafa only made 2 UE’s in the 1st set…Wow!!Gotta keep that down in the 2nd sets as well..
This is VINTAGE Rafa out there.
Dimi start to take chances from his shots..DTL is everywhere now..rafa better guard that..
Rafa can see the finish line!
RELENTLESS from Rafa
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!Take that FH DIMI!!!!
Nny…Rafa gonna broke Dimi’s will in a moment…he maybe close out the match in 3 sets..Dimi can’t hold the onslaught by this vintage rafa for long…
MA,
I said that I thought Rafa would raise his level of play for this match, but this is unreal!
Yeah Nny!!But,he’s in the position to get broke now…but i’m not worried…there’s plenty of chance to break back ahead..
He got a time violation warning.
Yeah Nny..rafa was disturbed by the TV when he just about to serve..
Uh oh!
Dimi is on fire suddenly
Pressure on dimi now!C’mon rafa!!
WOOOOHOOO!That gorgeous passing shots!!And Nny rafa broke back!!YESSSSSSS!!!
MA,
Yes! Rafa gets the break!
Keep fighting Rafa!
Rafa!!
what a choke from Rafa.
Worst game of the tournament for him
It’s ok Dimitrov returned the favor ?
Rafa is reverting to the old bad habits once again! 🙁
I can’t believe he wasted a break!!he seems more disturbed by his serves…not effective like milos match the other day…And looks in a position to break back..
And yes!!!Break!!
Nny!R u there??Say something!
MA,
Yes, but I am nervous now because Rafa isn’t playing as well. Breaks all over the place.
What is going on ?
Hope he does not mess it up again! This time it will cost him if he does
I think he’s nervous because his serves not working like it did with milos..his 1st serves only 162kmh more or less..let alone 2nd serves..he’s nervous and body language also not very good…but he will come back,if not in this sets..next sets..don’t worry okay??match is still long..
YES!!!!I told u Nny!!!!!WOOOHOOO!!!
Oh my God! I am going to have a heart attack with Rafa!
If i doze off, don’t be surprised. I am really getting tired.
My word. I dont need this at 4 am in the morning!
LOL!
Oh Nny!i’m going to miss to trading comments with u for sure..but for your health sake…that’s okay if u wanna go to sleep okay?but..can u sleep while rafa still play??He he..
Bad, bad set from Rafa. Dimi has been better. 2 more set points
That is what I feared. Keeping the intensity up. He plays a masterclass in set 1 and then this.
I mean keeping up the intensity is an issue for Rafa.
I got to stay up to see Rafa lose the second set. He has lost something. I hope he can regroup. This is going st least 4 sets.
I am really nervous now.
That’s alright VR…there’s still 3 sets left..don’t write off rafa just yet okay?
He could not hit the forehand to save his life in the second! Unbelievable that the set is lost after breaking two times without even going to the TB
Such disappointing set from Rafa…
Vamos Rafa! Calm down and focus! Vamos!
he’s unsettled about something…his shots lacked of depth and multiple times gave a short balls…He’ll overcome it..trust in him..
This is getting tense now. Dimi is getting more and more confident.
Been saying this for a long time- Fed should learn from Dimitrov how to use backhand slice against Rafa. Grigor uses it more smartly.
Can Dimi keep this up? Rafa could use a bit of help at the moment. And as you said, work out what is bothering him.
Now I can’t go a back to sleep. I wish Rafa could get it together.
Not another Verdasco:(
Dimi’s tactics by taking a chance on his shots..blasting DTL often seems successful…disrupt rafa’s rythmn and make him nervous…hope he can hold on with his service game..
Dimitrov playing confidently. Impressive from him.
Hope Rafa is able to claw his way back.
I think Dimi’s style who chased the ball and successfully put it back on court also make rafa nervous a little bit..
Dimi is just answering everything Rafa is throwing at him.
Dimi’s benefited from rafa’s short balls like there is tomorrow!
Yeah Nny…and that’s what make rafa soooo nervous but he broke now..let see whether he can hold his service game..
MA,
Yes, we have to see if Rafa can hold.
vamosssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Is one break sufficient. I dont think so
Like the Rafa fist pump.
what’s with these double faults!
Fedal final, 15th slam for Rafa, inevitability 99.999%
It’s so hard to keep it up with a very athletic young player who can get it back every ball that was thrown at him…Rafa seems not aggressive enough and that’s why Dimi who’s dictate the game now..
Rafa should serve out wide and march to the net more often like the last point..
What??2nd serves at 144kmh and rafa dumped at the net???Oh God!!
This is the worst Rafa’s performance at this AO.,,he is nervous, not serving well, missing a lot…I’ve feared of this…
He seems shell shocked out there
I fear a break here
C’mon rafa,get out of your funk quick!there is no time to get funk atm!!U get funk at home okay??
Don’t lose this set please, Rafa. DON’T
Dimi too emboldened at the moment. Time to break through the funk Rafa.
Rafa got to assert his authority quickly…Dimi got the impression that he’s in charge now…Where r u rafa???come out now!!
FH’s not working,passing shots also scattered everywhere..that’s what bothering rafa..
Nadal is tired. I’m a but worried.
Chance come and go…still not get out from his funk yet..
Body language still not good…
SO DAMN TENSE NOW
I’ve cashed out all my bets. Nadal is not stamping his authority like i thought he would.
I reckon he’s getting tired from his matches.
This is Dimitrov’s chance to capitalize. If he doesn’t, it could spell bad news for the rest of his career.
Yeah,rafa really looks tired..
Oh my God!My chest hurt!!
4-2 up and playing so short!!!!
Oh!It’s a good thing rafa’s BH UE’s just 5 compared to Dimi’s 22..
Two serves for Rafa. It is on his racket now. GOOD SERVES NEEDED
Rafa of 2015 is back last two sets. WHAT WAS THAT MISS!!! 5-5
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
YESSSSSSSS!!!WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!3rd sets in hands!!!!!!
Backhand CC saved it for him! the length he was getting was deadly.
Huh! Still feeling my heart beating like crazy!
Vamooossss!
Oh my God!rafa is bad for my BP…Nny..r u there or ZZZZZZZ already??
Oh shooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooootttttttttttttttttttttttttttt. I am crapping my pants here.
Win while playing crap-Rafael Nadal for you
Beautiful point, Rafa!
Vamossss!
Still missing first serves and routine shots. But on the board in the 4th
What a rally
Yes…rafa looks much different now..clearly won TB in 3rd sets makes all the difference..
Rafa not trust his FH atm..
I just have had enough. Hope Dimi hands it to him and does not have more moments of inspiration
Not gonna happen! Rafa will have to fight till the end! Should not count on Dimi going away…
One thing I noticed as of late, when Rafa takes too much time to prepare to serve he misses the first serve or loses the point! It does him no good to go that slowly! He is probably nervous in anticipation to get the warning..,
Rafa start to stand much closer into the baseline compared in the 2nd sets and much of the 3rd sets…that means he starts to feel confidence back..
YES!!!That BH and what a passing shots!!!
Oh God!!rafa’s FH CC really unreliable tonight!
The backhand is saving him today. Solid as a rock! Getting great penetration as well. The two prime weapons, first serve and forehand-are not clicking tonight.
You stole my words. Who would have thunk! I thought his FH will pulverize Dimi
Yeah VR..that’s why he’s so nervous out there..
Rafa wasted soo many opportunity to pressure Dimi today..urgh!!One of these days i might go crazy because of rafa!!
Rafa’s pummeling Dimi’s BH now..and yes…54..c’mon..1 more game rafa..
1 game…….
The pressure all on Dimi’s shoulrder now..hope rafa can break him..
Dimitrov is hitting his backhand so flat.
5-5 … shit this can go to 5 here. please win it 7-5 Rafa
Dimitrov will be top 6 in the world soon.
Oh rafa looks tired now..don’t know if he can survive if it goes to 5th sets..
Oh my God!This is soooo nerve wrecking!!Argh!!stressed!!
Nadal is gone. Dimitrov is going to win.
5-2 now. SO this is looking like a 5-setter now. SHIT
Baby Fed has come of age. He is the new Fed.
Dimitrov is going to win. I’m convinced.
Not aggressive enough, rafa.
5th set it is. Sanju was right, Nad-Verdasco type match this is now.
and Baby Fed will beat Daddy Fed in the final
and he serves first unlike Dasco
Oh God..rafa wasted 2 sets to 1 lead once again!!I can’t believe it!!
What a forehead down the line by Dimi. Shot of the match
8 mins already..
BP again! vamosssssss! get ittttttttt
Cmon Dimitrov!
noooooooo! forehand is miserable today ! misfiring so much.
I am very scared now. I fear he is going to lose this 🙁
Nadal is gone. The belief in Dimi has been incredible.
What a shot down the line.
doesn’t look like Nadal is gone yet…
This is world class from Grigor
Dimi is playing amazing tennis, match of his life, just like Nando or Fog… he looks fresh and quick, running like a rabbit…none of this he would be able to reproduce in the finals…Fed is one big happy fellow right now…
I know. And he is serving big.
BP Rafa
Should have gone DTL there!!! HE KEEPS MISSING THESE CHANCES
D@#$ Dimi!!!!Of all days he wants to produce his outer space tennis!!!he chose today!!hate him!!!!
Too good from Dimi.Rafa can only hope he can hold and Dimi plays one bad game on his serve
Pleaseeeeeeee find a way to win this 6-4 Rafa 🙁
Rafa’s backhand return on the Ad court is very good today
No, Rafa is doing a much better job putting pressure on serve! he needs to convert!
Vamos! that was a nice change of direction on the backhadn. Deuce
Too short from Rafa…gets punished. 4-3… now REAL SCARY TIMES are here
Poor play by Rafa all night except the first set. He keeps hitting right back to Dimi and gets punished so often. It’s like he runs out of ideas now. Very sad.
0-30. Cheap misses
Virtual match points these
How well has Dimitrov hit his backhand DTL. shit 🙁
VAMMOSSSSSSSSSSSS! perfection! deuce
That’s such good controlled aggression!!! Rafael Nadal you are the man!
Match of the tournament so far
siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!111
vamossssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
The crowd is screwing with Dimi’s head now
30-30….it is slipping away. Get better length on the forehand Rafa!!!
Cmon Dimitrov. First grand slam final, let’s go.
Vamos Rafa, you can do it!
niceeeeeeeee backhand slice!!! break point! come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Nadal is so tough to beatwhen the crowd is going nuts like this
VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
NOW HOLD ON TO IT CHAMP!!! YOU ARE ALMOST THERE
Vamos!!!!!!
Poor Dimi….. Really deserves to get to this final
he did but Rafa deserved it more! Surviving Zverev and now Dimi, he is the man!
Respect for Dimi!
Rafa needs to recover now and be ready!
I will repeat again. Impossible for Nadal to lose AO
????❤❤❤
Dimi’s overheads have been nuts
YESSSSSSSSSS RAFA!!!!!!!I LOVE U!!!!!!OH MY GOD!OH MY GOD NNY AND AMY..WHERE R U!!I NEED YOUR HUG RIGHT NOW!!!!
mira andi i am here!!!! what is the score????
OH GOD AMY!!I think i saw the light at the end of the tunnel now!!Urgh!My chest hurt amy!!..Oh the score…63 57 76 67 64..
are you ok mira andi??? it’s worth it though now he has won…!! loads of hugs darling….!!!
rafa will end up killing us one of these days…!!
Oh God amy!!Yeah i’m okay but it was soooo surreal!Amy i feel like i want to go to u and beg u to hug me and don’t let go ever!!…Yeah,rafa will end up killing us nowadays amy!!..Btw..you’re working?
yes am working MA….couldn’t watch which is probably just as well as it would have made me go crazy. kudos to you honey….!!
i will be there for the final though…
Amy,promise you’ll be here on sunday?I will be waiting for u okay?
yes i promise i will be there MA. may not be there right at the beginning though..so dont worry as i will be along shortly…
YES!!It doesn’t matter when u will come here amy…just come anytime okay?Miss u..
YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Vamos Nadal, ole tus huevos!!!!
YESAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Yessssss!
Vaaaaaammmmmmmmmmooooooooooossssssss!
OH MY GOD,MY STUPID TEARS WON”T STOP NOW!!!OH MY GOD!!STANDING OVATION TO TWO GREAT CHAMPIONS!!!
mira andi…big hug darling!!! so pleased for you…..!!!
Amy!!Did u watch the match??it’s crazy crazy good tennis amy!!Oh i wish u were here with me!!And Nny was a traitor..she left me alone for hours now!!And THANK U THANK THANK U for your good wishes amy!!Oh GOD I LOVE U TOO AMY!!!
no i couldn’t watch mira andi…but i told you i would try and come here and find you and i kept my promise!!
rafa will be the death of us hey!!???
more hugs for you honey…am proud of you for watching the torture…
ha ha ha…thank u for stopping by amy..i love u!!!!Thank u for keeping your promise…
Six down !!!!!! ✌ ✌ ✌ ✌ ✌ ✌ Vaaaaaamoooooos Rafa!!!!!!
I am in tears and howling. Too much for emotion for me
All you guys who have endured watching this torture of a match own a little piece of this victory, especially vamorafa!
101% 15th slam in hand on Sunday
Can’t wait to see how the crowd treats the Rafa-Fed final.
Lol, Nadal said exactly the same thingabout his acadamy word for word and Courier goes “Go get some rest” haha
Amazing, Rafa. And much respect for Dimi.
Every year I write that Rafa will yet surprise us again.
It almost makes you believe some things are meant to go a certain way, the parallels with 2009.
Hopefully Rafa is not as knackered as he was after the semi then. That match was at another level altogether.
He won being the second best player in the match. And how many times have we seen this. Hope he has enough left in the tank to take on Roger
2nd best? It isn’t all about the strokes!
What. A. Match. Unbelievable tournament for both Dimitrov and Rafa.
They should just give half a major to both Rafa and federe. Can believe one player is going to go back empty handed.
guess all of you are half dead thinking rafa would lose in the fifth??! they ought to sell a special health insurance for rafa fans….
Funny amy!!
This Rafa was a man possessed on break points and when the screws were tightening. At a point I thought that Rafa is doing everything possible but Dimi is hitting the right shots at the right time.
But Rafa waited the high level out and somehow managed to seal the deal.
Federer and Nadal in a grand slam final when they are 9th and 17th seed with Murrray djoko stan in the draw.Seems so surreal
Phew! Rafa, how many thousand times must you put us through ordeals like this? My heart was beating so fast esp during the third set TB and most of set 4 and 5. Come on, show mercy on us on Sunday, just go all out and attack and beat Fed asap! Not another round of this please!
Well done, despite all the hiccups and so many misfiring FHs. I think it’s tiredness that affected the timing of that shot. Please hit the serves and FH better come Sunday.
Dimi has shown he’s a force to be reckoned with; good for him, he’s hitting some wonderful winners and great serves. Well done for the good show, but please do it to other players, not to Rafa!
Oh. My. God. Unbelievable! Huge congrats to Rafa!! And congrats to Dimi too. He’s got time still, and he really has become a different and better player.
Kudos to those of you who watched it live. I can’t, not any more. I did watch Rafa’s 2009 semi and final live with the total conviction that he would win it. I was younger and healthier back then. Now I’m convinced that watching a match like these have been would quite literally kill me. On TV anyway. Strangely, it’s easier in the stadium, for me at least.
All I can say is: Rafa is so worth it!!
Rada won? I went back to sleep and checked my recording, but it cut off’
Rafa won? Really? I only had 3 hours sleep. And my mind isn’t working!
I hear you NNY, i have not slept through the night and now I am just on all the blogs and my mind is too active to go to sleep.
Vmk1,
I am a wreck! I went in espn to see the highlights of the fifth set and Rafa winning. They are replaying it on the tennis channel and I am recording it.
I was so sure that Rafa was going to lose because he was struggling. Then to wake up
And play my recording and see that Rafa was up two sets to one and couldn’t close it out in the fourth set. Then he finally wins in the fifth!
They are going to have to work some magic on Rafa to get him ready.
Sanju,
I owe you an apology because I did not think this would be like the 2009 AO semi with Nando. But it did turn out to be a battle!
The only thing that can stop Rafa is if he cannot recover enough! But I have to believe that he will find a way!
I only saw 5th set and that was the tighest and best maybe.. I could not muster the courage to see the match and peeped in after 3 hr 45 mns assuming it maybe over..It was 2 sets all (:-
Remember NNY, vmk1, Mira..i told in morning..was getting bad nervy feelings. I knew Dimi will give it his all in the match.
I did not see 5th set..but as well as Dimi played..I bet Rafa was not at his best ..else this would not go 5..in 5th set he was hitting too many loopy FH, CC FH and Dimi would just hit a BH or FH DTL for winner..but the bps saved by Rafa getting offensive were worldclass..
vamosrafa..natashao..how would you rate Rafas performance? What worked, what did not?
I am now very sceptical how much will he have to give in final given extent of recovery needed..in 2009..he was 8 years younger ..
Oh God! Rafa won! I can’t believe it. I thought he was going to lose.
Will he have anything left for the final!
Shireling and Sanju,please get good vibes about the final. I do not know about Rafa but I will certainly pass out if another humdinger is in store
What is destined to happen will happen vmk1…Lets see what happens..
Hope Moya, Toni, and Rafas fitness trainer really gets him ready
atleast this match was some 45 minutes shorter than verdasco match..and thankfully fed is 8 years older too 🙂
Feds 5 setter lasted 3 hours and Rafas 5 hours..the quality of first semi was nowhere close to this one.
Mira Andi,
I read the comments and you hurt my feelings by saying that I was a traitor and left you! I told you I was struggling to stay awake! I tried, you know I tried! I am just exhausted!
Ha ha ha ha…Oh Nny!i’m just kidding!Sorry sorry sorry okay?WILL YOU FORGIVE ME MA’AM?I PROMISE NEVER EVER HURT YOUR FEELINGS AGAIN!FORGIVE ME NNY??PLEASE!!!
Mira Andi,
Yes of course dear! I just couldn’t do it! I did try! I will be here for the final!
I salute those who made it to the end! I have only gotten 3 hours sleep and want get some more sleep before I have to go out this afternoon,
I just wonder if Rafa will have enough left for the final. This match went on forever.
Now it is reminding me of 2009 when Rafa had that epic semi with Nando and then had to play on one dsy’s rest!
I still love you! Just forgive me for not being able to stay up!
?
Oh My God Nny!U scared me!!And i’m crying all over again now!I thought u really mad and hurt by my words..i just made a stupid jokes with amy and not meant anything by it…Sorry Nny,i promise i will guard my words and fingers better next time okay??I love u Nny and i will hate myself if i hurt one of the most nicest,kind,sweet and lovable posters on TG…Thank u for forgave me okay Nny?
That match was hard on Moya too!. Did you see him at match point? Stretched out with his head down on the rail? Toni was up and yelling at Rafa. I guess he’s used to it after all these years.
Ramara (AT 5:34 PM),
Their joy after the match point:
https://twitter.com/Rafameila/status/824981173252218881/video/1
Nny…http://www.punjabigraphics.com/images/2/im-so-sorry2.gif
Mira Andi,
You are making me cry. I should have known you were kidding, but I so tired.
I have to try and get some more sleep. I will talk to you later!
You forgive me for doubting you! I smile just too tired to think clearly!
Love you!
Yeah Nny..Go sleep now!There’s a LOT we can talk about Nny!I can’t wait to discussed what was happening in rafa’s match Nny!!God!!It’s sooooooo incredible Nny!!
Oh LOVE U MORE!!!
$10,000 on Nadal to win @ 1.80
even after this 5 set battle of 5 hours..what about recovery?
I just saw a 28 minute highlights reel on YT..I know Rafa won and I dont want to be negative but he surely did not play well in set 2, 3, 4. He was hitting short, not pulling trigger fast, going loopy and CC a lot instead of DTL, waiting for Dimis errors. However Rafas serving was good.
Rafa – This FH to single handed BH cannot be rinsed and repeated. You tried it a lot in this match and hope it taught you a lesson . Hope you pull the offensive trigger fast against Federer and not play the typical FH to BH pattern and start going DTL quick . Fed is changed now, comes to net a lot. Moya – Please watch Fed matches carefully 🙂
From another site tennis.com..great summary of the match
1st set: Rafa’s cleanest serving of the match. 2 aces and 5 service winners, mixed up the variety well, going early to the wide serve on SS to prevent Grigor getting IOFH returns. This was Nadal’s most aggressive set on return, standing close to the baseline for 1st returns, inside baseline to thump SS returns. Rafa secured the early break with a FHPS, and served it out with zero problems. The FHCC was gettting deep with kick, and he was smoking that BHCC whenever Grigor went BHDTL.
2nd set: Rafa took position deep behind baseline to receive for most of set. Nadal started getting too predicable hitting IOFH, Dimitrov was ready for the FH reply many times. Rafa also started misfiring with the FH (7 UFE during the set). Dimitrov won 12/14 net points, was more aggressive overall and broke to take a wonky 2nd set.
3rd set: They stared each other down, trading breaks to arrive at the first Tiebreaker. Nadal switched his patterns, using a couple BHDL and FHDTL to catch Grigor off guard. Then Rafa went back to the BHCC to take a very tight breaker. Grigor started forcing issue with his BHDTL resulting in 10 UFES. I thought it would be routine from here.
4th set: Both players held their ground with clean serving. Dimitrov was aggressive coming forward, was clutch even though he was serving from behind to stay in the match. Clean WUFE ratios, Grigor really nailing some beauty BHDTL winners. Both players got many returns in play, but each server was clutch on finishing shots. Grigor took full advantage with his minibreaks in the TB. Going the distance.
5th set: Dimitrov’s OHBH held up admirably for the entire match, but now his MPH on serve dropped significantly in the decider, his arm was entering wet-noodle territory. Rafa was able to stay back and nail some returns deep with topspin. Rafa really took the initiative, taking his shots DTL from both wings, and the risk paid off; he fought off two BPs at 4-4 by going down the line, and then nailed an INSANE IIFH to set up game point. Rafa got his teeth into a few return games before finally converting on his 6th BP. He served it out thanks to some clutch first serving. GSM.
This was an incredible match. Grigor defended like a maniac; it’s not often that Nadal is the one forced to hit shot after shot to finally close points. Dimitrov’s OHBH was gutsty, going DTL for clear winners numerous times, but this strategy did hurt him when he got too eager to pull the trigger. Rafa’s plan of breaking down the Grigor OHBH worked, but it took five sets, he was too reliant on that pattern, playing the safer CC shots when some earlier DTL would have kept some points much shorter. Rafa was cracking that BHCC, though. It was probably his most important shot of the match, neutralizing Dimitrov FHCC, and making Grigor cover the line when he went DTL from the Ad-court. Beyond any exes and ohs, Rafa just delivered when it was all on the line. Fantastic to see that the real Rafael Nadal is back. Hopefully he can recover well for a great final.
Basically Rafa going CC FH to Dimis BH over and over again..delayed the match..he never pulled trigger for DTL FH soon enough..many times Dimi hit BH DTL for winners
Rafas CC BH was great too
Rafa basically played poorly in the second set. He was too tentative, nervous, his serve could do no damage to Dimi who was also anxious but Rafa was even worse. However, through the rest of the match they were both outstanding, with Dimitrov playing deep, running like crazy and forcing Rafa to misfire…tennis was on very high level. Even though I thought at some point in the 4th Rafa would finally break Dimi’s resistance, the younger one refused to go away.,,in the fifth, I felt they were even and both played well, but feared Rafa might play one lousy game and lose the whole thing as he did many times in the last few years… at that time Rafa became more and more aggressive, successfully executing at the net and fighting off key break points..,amazing tennis it was from both of them.,,Dimi served great, fired 20 aces, defended like there was no tomorrow..,in the end, Rafa won because he never stopped believing, he had his eyes and his mind on the final! I am so proud of Rafa! ❤
Who has a better backhand – Dimi or Fed?
Fed as he can angle it better when he hits hard and his knife slice is great too
Rafa’s post-SF on-court interview:
https://youtu.be/0SvHXfF0skI
Rafa’s post-SF press conference:
¤ the full transcript:
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2017-01-27/rafael_nadal_270117.html
¤ video:
https://youtu.be/8lhPIAu1EDQ