BATTLING RAFA EYES No.1 FINALE
RAFA NADAL overcame the resistance of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
World No.1 Nadal extended his winning run to 15 matches as he defeated Dimitrov 6-4 7-6 6-3 to set up a last-four clash against Marin Cilic.
The 16-times Grand Slam winner, who beat Dimitrov in three sets in the China Open semi-finals last week, fired 32 winners and won two crucial breaks over two and a half hours at the Qi Zhong Centre.
Nadal pegged Dimitrov back with relentless baseline hitting to take the first set with ease.
But the Bulgarian took the fight to the Spaniard in the second set, coming from 3-0 down in a tie-break to level.
Trailing 3-2 in the decider, Dimitrov’s forehand crashed into the net to hand Nadal the break he needed and he consolidated to make it 5-2 before serving out the match.
Nadal said: “It was a great battle between two players who are playing all the time very focused, very intense points. It was decided on just a few balls and anything can happen.”
Cilic beat Albert Ramos- Vinolas 6-3 6-4 in another quarter-final and Nadal added: “He is always a very dangerous opponent.”
Roger Federer, the only man who can deny Nadal the year-end top ranking, saw off Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-4 and will face Juan Martin del Potro in their semifinal after the ex-US Open champion fought back to beat Viktor Troicki 4-6 6-1 6-4.