Nadal escapes Grigor Dimitrov scare - moves to Australian Open semis

When I read that world no.1 Rafael Nadal has qualified for the quarters of the Australian Open - I was much relaxed as many seeded players have been crashing out of the race since the first Grand Slam of the year began.

And then I when I read that Nadal is to face 22nd ranked Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria, I sank into my chair with relief as I knew for Nadal it would be peants to play out Grigor Dimitrov.

But when the match began, I got tense as things weren't as smooth as Grigor Dimitrov was there to play too and eye the semis at least. And he came hard on the Spaniard with a 6-3 first set win.

And from then on Nadal was under tremendous pressure for the next three sets. Second and third sets went into tie break and Nadal narrowly escaped the powerful returns of Grigor Dimitrov and finally won the second and third sets 7(7)-6(3) and 7(9)-6(7). The third set was tougher than the second and the balance kept tilting and changing sides till 9-7 win by Nadal.

Thereafter, Grigor Dimitrov seemed to have lost heart in the fourth set when he finally gave over to the world no.1 an easy set 2-6. 

Nadla thus moved out to the semis after a cary match today and may from now on have to face even tougher challenges if he wishes to be crowned as Australian king of the year.

Nadal now tensely wait for the outcome of the two giants, Federer and Murray, who are to play the quarter final today. The match is going to be tougher as 17-times Grand Slam winner Roger Federer would like to stay in at the age of 32 and try to subdue British Murray, winner of two Grand Slams in 2013.

Who wins to face Nadal in the semis - I keep my fingers crossed.

But one thing I am sure off - the final is going to be a classic final as I reckon Wawrinka will qualify for the final overpowering Berdych - that is a calculated guess. What do you say? 

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