Rafael Nadal claimed a dominant straight-sets win over world number three Milos Raonic to advance to the semi-finals at the Australian Open, in Melbourne on Wednesday. Nadal kept alive hopes of a much-anticipated ninth Grand Slam final with his great rival Roger Federer as the tournament got down to the last four. It is the Spanish great's first Grand Slam semi-final appearance since his last 2014 French Open triumph after recent injury setbacks. It was the 30-year-old Spaniard's fifth Australian Open semi-final and his 24th in Grand Slams. Last year Raonic was hampered by a groin injury in his five-set loss to Andy Murray in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Source: dna January 25, 2017 12:30 UTC