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Rafael Nadal scored a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Grigor Dimitrov in one hour and 49 minutes to advance to the semifinals of the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open.
Dimitrov came under pressure right from the start, including a 14-point opening game. Despite breaking to Nadal to love in the fourth game, the Bulgarian dropped to 2-4. Nadal's service rhythm returned and, with his trusted old racquet frame, found his groundstroke in long rallies to leave Dimitrov few opportunities to make inroads. At 3-5, Dimitrov saved two set points from 15/40, but struck a forehand into the net on Nadal's third opportunity to end the 50-minute set.
Dimitrov played closer to the baseline in the second set, narrowing down Nadal's angles. He broke and then withstood one break point in a 12-point fourth game for a 3-1 lead. But Nadal took advantage of mid-court balls, taking his chances to get back on level terms. He went on to save one break point at 4-4, 30/40, then converted his second match point chance in the next game when Dimitrov mis-timed a forehand wide.
Nadal will next play sixth seed Tomas Berdych or No. 16 seed John Isner on Saturday.
Photo Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe
