Shanghai Masters: Rafael Nadal downs Dimitrov to set up semis clash with Cilic

Rafael Nadal will play Marin Cilic in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters today after the world number one was forced to fight past Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 yesterday

Rafael Nadal will play Marin Cilic in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters today after the world number one was forced to fight past Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 yesterday. Juan Martin del Potro meanwhile clambered off the court floor and from a set down to knock out Serbia's Viktor Troicki 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and will play Roger Federer or unseeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the other semi.

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return shot against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during their men's quarterfinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Pic/AP/PTI

Nadal, who has never won the Shanghai showpiece, is chasing a seventh title in a brilliant season and a hat-trick of triumphs on the trot, having been crowned US Open and China Open champion in recent weeks.

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