Kyle Edmund advance to Semi-finals as Rafael Nadal bows out
Tennis
By
Mirror
| Jan 23, 2018
Grigor Dimitrov eliminated in the quarter-finals from the Australian Open after he lost to Kyle Edmund 4:6, 6:3, 3:6, 4:6. The 26-year-old Bulgarian had two wins in two matches against the South African born opponent from United Kingdom, but the 23-year-old showed confidence in today’s match and for the first time in his career reached the semi-finals.
Following his victory over Dimitrov, Edmund said: "It's an amazing feeling. With these sort of things, you're emotionally engaged, and you don't take it in. At the end of a hard match, I just tried to enjoy the moment.
"He's played hard matches, especially against Nick Kyrgios and I knew it was going to be tough. I had a bit of a dip and I was playing quite poor tennis at times.” He added.
Edmund is the only British man in this year’s competition after the withdrawal of the five-time finalist Andy Murray before the tournament. The other British men apart from Murray to go so far at a Slam in the Open-era were Henman, John Lloyd, Roger Taylor and Greg Rusedski.
Meanwhile, tearful Rafa Nadal bowed out of the Australian Open after retiring his tie with Marin Cilic through injury.
Nadal called for the doctors in Melbourne as he was two sets to one up in his quarter-final clash with the sixth-seed.
The Spaniard, who was bidding for his second Grand Slam Title Down Under, was heard complaining about fatigue and a pain in his right leg.
Nadal was leading 2-1 at the point he called the doctors on, but with Cilic 4-1 up in the set and gaining momentum. Cilic went on to win the set 6-2.
And as Nadal attempted to battle through the fifth and final set, the pain got too much, and he waved off the match.
Cilic said: "It was an unbelievable performance from both of us and it's really unfortunate for Rafa. He always gives his best and it's unfortunate for him to end this way.
"I was really paying attention to these first couple of games [in the final set] and trying to keep my intensity up. It was important for me to continue with my own game and not look across the net."
Cilic now faces off against Britain's Kyle Edmund, who went through to the semi-finals after an incredible four-set victory over world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov earlier in the day.
On facing Edmund, Cilic said: "He had an amazing run and a great match today. I have to keep going with my own game.
"Kyle is also a big hitter so I have to take things into my own hands and deal with my own court in the best way possible."
"But I held my nerve and prayed that last ball was out."