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Nadal beats Dimitrov to set up iconic final with Federer

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Melbourne: Rafael Nadal needed three match points and nearly five hours of battle to beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7(4-7), 6-4 on Friday and set up a classic final at the Australian Open with Roger Federer.


The old-school throwback title shootout on Sunday will pit the dominators of the last decade in the sport in an unexpected late chapter in their iconic rivalry which Nadal leads 23-11.


Nadal battled and scrapped with Bulgarian Dimitrov for 4 hours 56 minutes in an effort that ended in the early hours of Saturday.


He saved break points in the eighth game of the final set and then broke Dimitrov in the next game en route to victory.


Nadal, who won the event in 2009, will e playing in his first Grand Slam final since he won 2014 Roland Garros. — dpa


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