(UDHAYAM, MELBOURNE) – Rafael Nadal set up a much-anticipated Australian Open final against old rival Roger Federer with an epic, five-set semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov yesterday (27th Friday).
The Spaniard won 6-3 5-7 7-6 6-7 6-4 in almost five hours to reach a first Grand Slam final since 2014. Dimitrov’s wait to reach a maiden Slam final continues after Nadal, 30, inflicted his first defeat of the year.
Nadal, who is bidding for a 15th major title, will face Swiss rival Federer, 35, in Melbourne on Sunday. The ninth seed will meet Federer, who needed five sets to beat compatriot Stan Wawrinka in yesterday’s first semi-final, in Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
His victory means all four singles finalists are aged 30 or over, with 35-year-old Serena Williams meeting sister Venus, 36, in the women’s final tomorrow.
