Unstoppable Nadal beats Dimitrov, in Shanghai semis

SHANGHAI: Rafael Nadal will play Marin Cilic in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday after the world number one was forced to fight past Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3.

Nadal saw off the Bulgarian Dimitrov in Beijing last week but suffered some hairy moments in getting the better of him again in a nervy quarter-final.

“Very happy, it was a very tough match, both of us played a very high level of tennis,” said the 31-year-old Nadal.

SHARAPOVA IN SEMIS

BEIJING: Maria Sharapova swatted aside Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-1 in just over an hour at the Tianjin Open on Friday to reach her second semi-final since returning from a 15-month doping ban.

The Russian will meet defending champion Peng Shuai who beat Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-0, 6-1.

WORLD NUMBER ONE RAFAEL NADAL WILL PLAY MARIN CILIC IN THE SEMIFINALS OF THE SHANGHAI MASTERS

ANIRBAN LAHIRI SLIPS

KUALA LUMPUR: India’s Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chawrasia faced contrasting fortunes in the closing stages, even as the threat of lightning forced a four-hour stoppage on the second day of the CIMB Classic.

Lahiri, lying tied 8th overnight dropped to tied 23rd after a round of 73, while Chawrasia, lying close to the bottom after 16 holes in the second, picked himself with two closing birdies for a 71. Chawrasia is now tied 45.