SPORTS Thursday, January 26, 2017 31 Melbourne this year’s Australian Open. accomplished performance Nadalafael Nadal edged closerroars “Let me enjoy today, the from the 30-year-old Spaniard to a much-anticipated victory, being in semi-final. who reached his first Grand AustralianR Open final with For me is great news again. Slam semi-final since he won his great rival Roger Federer It’s a good start of the season,” the 2014 French Open. after marching into the semi- he told reporters. “Great. It’s good news. finals yesterday. “Now I have a very tough Especially winning against The 14-time Grand Slam match against Dimitrov. difficult players: (Gael) champion was too powerful “Whatever happens on Monfils in quarter-finals, for injury-hit world number the other side of the draw, I (Alexander) Zverev round of to three Milos Raonic, winning think it is great for tennis that 16 and now Raonic,” Nadal 6-4, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in two Roger is there again after an said. (AFP) hours 44 minutes. injury, after a lot of people Nadal will play Bulgaria’s talked that probably he would Match Status 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov in never be back. Friday’s semi-final. He leads “The real thing is that he’s Rafael Nadal (ESP x9) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x3) 6-4, 7-6 (9/7), Dimitrov 7-1. back and he’s probably ready 6-4 Nadal preferred to focus on to win again, fighting again Time: 2hr 44min final his next match with Dimitrov to win a major. “That’s good Nadal - Raonic rather than contemplating for the fans because Roger is 4 Aces 14 4 Double Faults 2 a ninth Grand Slam final a legend of our sport. I am 40 Winners 39 showdown with Federer, but happy to be there, too. I am 21 Unforced Errors 32 he paid tribute to the Swiss focused on my semi-final.” 2/3 Break Point Conversions 0/4 legend for his amazing run at It was another 117 Total Points Won 95 Rafael Nadal four.