Nadal to Face Local Hope Tomic in Australian Open
IBTimes UK

Rafael Nadal takes on Grigor Dimitrov for a space in the final four of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Where to Watch

Nadal v Dimitrov is available live on British Eurosport from 03:00am (GMT). Radio commentary is available on Radio Five Live Sports Extra and a live online stream is available on the Australia Open official website here.

Preview

With Novak Djokovic's dominance of the competition now over, Rafael Nadal will be desperate to maintain his impressive form and progress to the final four. The Spaniard has remained largely untested on his route to the quarter finals, but was handed a sterner examination in his fourth round win over Kei Nishikori where the world No. 1 had his serve broken for the first time in the competition. The perennially cool Nadal also uncharacteristically showed signs of frustration as umpire decisions went against him, but maintained enough composure to see of the threat of his Japanese opponent.

Dimitrov on the other hand has had to fend off stern challenges on his way to become the first Bulgarian to reach a Grand Slam quarter final. But in efforts to shake off the 'Baby Fed' moniker he has carried since his youth, he has battled his way to this stage with the determination of a man seeking to carve his own name in this competition, snatching victory over four gruelling sets in each of his wins over against Bradley Klahn, Milos Raonic and Roberto Bautista Agut.

The pair have met three times in the past and perhaps unsurprisingly, Nadal has claimed victory on each occasion, last confining Dimitrov to a straight sets defeat at last year's Cincinnati Masters.

But the burgeoning 22-year-old has deservedly muscled his way into an all-star last eight and after witnessing reigning champion Novak Djokovic pushed to his limits en route to an early exit by Stanislas Wawrinka, the Bulgarian will fancy his chances of denying Nadal.

Route to the Quarter Finals

Rafael Nadal

First round: 6-4 retired v Bernard Tomic

Second round: 6-2 6-4 6-2 v Thanasi Kokkinakis

Third round: 6-1 6-2 6-3 v Gael Monfils

Fourth round: 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-6 (7-3) v Kei Nishikori

Grigor Dimitrov

First round: 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 v Bradley Klahn

Second round: 6-3 6-3 7-6 v Yen-Hsun Lu

Third round:6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6(10) v Milos Raonic

Fourth round: 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 v Roberto Bautista Agut

What They Said

Rafael Nadal: "I normally have a good self-control on court. It's true that the moment was a very critical one."

"I know the rules are there, but sometimes timings are a little bit tough ... referee make the decision so just respect her [even though] I wasn't happy with the decision."

"He's amazing (Dimitrov); he has everything to be [the] next big star, he already is."

Grigor Dimitrov: "I feel great actually," following victory over Agut.

"A bit tired actually, but we all know how Roberto is performing (at this event), what a great run, he gave me hell today.

"I'm just happy, you know. It's great to be out here."

Rafael Nadal