Australian Open: Nadal beats Shapovalov, reaches semi-finals

Melbourne: Rafael Nadal of Spain battled through to his seventh Australian Open semifinal after defeating Canada's Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday.

Playing in his 14th Melbourne quarter-final, Nadal registered a five-set 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 win over Shapovalov in a match that lasted four hours and seven minutes.

"For me, it is everything to be able to play one more time here at the Rod Laver arena. So I am just excited and can't thank enough everybody," Nadal said.

"The real truth is that, two months ago we didn't know if we will be able to be back on tour at all. For me it is just a present of life to play tennis again," he added.

In his quest for a record-setting 21st Grand Slam men's singles title, the Spaniard will take on either seventh seed Matteo Berrettini (Italy) or 17th seed Gael Monfils (France) in the semi-finals. (UNI)