Rafael Nadal ends Dimitrov’s Melbourne run, to face Federer in semis

World number one Rafael Nadal ended the magnificent run of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open 2014 quarterfinals on Wednesday after the Spaniard prevailed in a four-set thriller 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2.

“I served slower. I served bad,” said Nadal. “I was able to win a match against a very difficult opponent, so that has much more value than when everything is great. And because of these victories, sometimes it happens that the next day you are able to play much better, and these victories at the end of the year are more important than the days that you are playing great.”

This is Nadal’s 22nd career Grand Slam semifinal. The 27-year old will next face Roger Federer who eliminated last year’s finalist Andy Murray.

“[It was] very important to win the third set,” Nadal revealed. “You are coming back after the first set and winning the next two in both tie-breaks, is a tough moment mentally for the opponent.

“After that, if I am ready to stay strong at the beginning of the fourth, I know I’m going to have my chances. But it was an important moment. Finally it was decisive. If that ball, that forehand from him, had gone in and he had won the third, I was going to keep fighting, because I felt that I was ready for the fight. I was tired, but I think that he was tired, too. I will keep fighting until the end.”

Despite the loss, Dimitrov will still have something to celebrate about since his ranking will break in the world’s top 20 for the first time. However, the Bulgarian said he was extremely disappointed with the defeat.

“I’m a bit shattered,” the emotional Dimitrov said. “It’s tough losing that match, my first quarter-final. I came out expecting nothing less than to win.

“All the credit to Rafa. He’s been a tremendous competitor, great guy off the court. We had a great battles the past year and now again, and hopefully in the future more.”