In the quarterfinals at the China Open on the National Tennis Stadium, Grigor Dimitrov defeated Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4 to claim his first win against the Spaniard in eight matches. He will face Milos Raonic in the semifinals.
Breaks exchanged; Dimitrov comes out on top
From the off, Rafael Nadal was put under pressure from his Bulgarian opponent. With the score at love-30, Dimitrov hit a backhand winner crosscourt to set up a break point. The Spaniard would go on to save another break point before a double fault gifted the break to the Bulgarian.
A backhand winner in the next game gave Nadal a double break back point, with a shank backhand from the 25-year-old gave Nadal the break back. Dimitrov continued to pile on the pressure and a further break point came for the world number 20. Nadal would then save another before going down a break, 2-1, but Dimitrov allowed the world number four to dictate the play in this game.
Nadal smashed a backhand down the line, came in and after the Bulgarian played the ball back, he smashed a forehand at the net to yet again break back and draw level at 2-2. The Bulgarian wasn't finished there and after forcing the Spaniard to play a forehand wide, a break point came his way.
Following an unforced error, Dimitrov broke for the third time. In the next game, Nadal gained a break point, however, Dimitrov stopped the number two seed by saving the break point and going on to secure the first hold of serve in the match to go 4-2. From there, Dimitrov continued to play to high standards and with Nadal struggling to contain the Bulgarian, a break point arrived. The world number 20 converted and won the set in the very next game, 6-2, with an ace.
Dimitrov books spot in semifinal
With Nadal looking to hold serve for the first time in the match, Dimitrov then made sure that didn't happen and grabbed a break point. Following an unforced error, the Bulgarian broke and made his intentions clear. Dimitrov would then hold serve as he consolidated for 2-0. In the eleventh game, the Spaniard held serve for the very first time in the match and got on the scoreboard in the set at 2-1. Looking to get back into the match, Nadal then gained a break point.
However, the Spaniard showed his true fighting spirit and managed to save both break points from Dimitrov to hold serve for the second time at 3-2. With the score at 4-2, Nadal would once again save a further two break points from an inspired Bulgarian to stay in the match. At 4-3, the world number 20 remained calm, saving two break points himself and going on to claim victory to snap a seven-match losing streak against the two-time Beijing champion.