Nadal wins epic, sets up fairytale Federer final

Rafael Nadal has beaten Grigor Dimitrov in an epic five-set semi to march into a dream Australian Open final with Roger Federer.

The Spanish bull was made to fight tooth and nail but showed glimpses of his vintage best, prevailing over Bulgarian 15th seed Dimitrov 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 in four hours and 56 minutes.

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Nadal got the pivotal break at 4-4 in the fifth set - after saving multiple break points in the previous game - before holding his nerve to serve it out, moving into his fourth final at Melbourne Park.

Nadal collapsed after the final point. Image: Getty

"To qualify for the final in a match like this means a lot to me," an exhausted Nadal said.

"I never, ever dreamed to be back in the final of the Australian Open in the second tournament of the year, after a lot of months without competing.

"But here I am now. I feel lucky. I feel very happy really."

Nadal's frustration boiled over during a tense third set, venting his anger about a time violation he had received early in the second set which appeared to affect his concentration.

"I play every day almost. I always have the same problem with the same umpires. I don't know why," Nadal complained during a changeover.

Victory! Image: Getty

Playing for a place in his first grand slam final - and in just his second slam semi - Dimitrov refused to go down without a fight, holding serve throughout the fourth set and forcing a fifth with some inspired tennis in another tiebreaker.

But the fighting spirit and supreme defensive ability which Nadal has shown throughout his storied career shone through in the deciding set.

Sunday's decider will be the ninth grand slam final Federer and Nadal have contested, with Nadal holding a 6-2 lead over the Swiss maestro.

The decorated duo, who have won a combined 31 grand slam singles titles, last met in the final of a major at Roland Garros in 2011 when Nadal prevailed in four sets.

Nadal was also the victor in the duo's only previous Australian Open final, prevailing in a five-set epic in 2009.

"It's a privilege and very, very special for both of us to be back in the final of a major," Nadal said after the match.

"To have another chance to compete against each other after both having a couple of years of injuries is special."

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