Reborn Rafa relieved to reverse Slam slide

Rafa Nadal's path to his Australian Open semifinal against Grigor Dimitrov on Friday has taught the 30-year-old Spaniard one thing - he's still got it.

After being bundled out in the first round by compatriot Fernando Verdasco last year, Nadal has made the last four at Melbourne Park for a fifth time in a remarkable turnaround for the 14-time Grand Slam winner.

A barren 2016 saw him fail to reach a Slam final for the first time since 2004, and while he won doubles gold at the Rio Olympics, a wrist injury forced him to call time on his season in early October.