Rafa passes blistering test

World No 1 Rafael Nadal fought off a big challenge from rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Nadal got home 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-2 in three hours, 37 minutes and now will play Roger Federer for a place in Sunday's final.

Federer beat Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the other quarterfinal on Wednesday night.