World number one Rafael Nadal defeated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Friday.
The Spaniard, who has never won the Shanghai Masters title, is chasing a seventh title in a brilliant season and a hat-trick of triumph,as he has been crowned US Open and China Open champion in recent weeks. Nadal also improved his winning-streak to 15 having claimed victory at the China Open last week.This is his 870th match win,Rafael Nadal tied Andre Agassi for sixth place on the list of all-time Open era wins.
The Spaniard, 31, breezed through the first set but was unable to break Dimitrov in the second, and the Bulgarian was strong in the tie-break to force a deciding set.Dimitrov, ranked eighth in the world, had break point early in the third set, but Nadal saved it with a backhand volley before winning three consecutive games.
Winning a lot of matches in a row, so I’m very happy for everything,” Nadal said. “Of course, being able to win the US Open, Beijing, and being in the semifinals here … I have to try to keep focus and hold that momentum. We’ll see tomorrow if I can have another good day.”
Next up for the 30-year-old is Croatian Marin Cilic, who beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3 6-4 in another quarter-final.
Roger Federer also reached the semi finals of Shanghai masters after beating Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-4.Second seed Federer and 16th seed Del Potro will play each other in the second semi-final in China.Del Potro overcame an injury scare to beat Victor Troicki 4-6 6-1 6-4.
