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Watch Dimitrov: Ready To Go The Distance



Grigor Dimitrov is determined to make his second Grand Slam semifinal a steppingstone to major success.

The Brisbane champion rides a 10-match winning streak into an Australian Open semifinal showdown against Rafael Nadal, who has dominated Dimitrov winning seven of their eight meetings. 

More: Dimitrov Dispatches Goffin In Sterling Performance

The 15th-seeded Bulgarian believes he's on the verge of a major breakthrough and ready to reach his first Grand Slam final.

"I feel like I have all the tools to go further, and my job isn't over yet," Dimitrov told the media after sweeping 11th-seeded David Goffin in the quarterfinals. "I'm looking forward to my match on Friday. I think I'm prepared. I think I'm ready to go the distance.

"I don't shy away from that. I'm confident enough to say that I feel good physically, and overall like on the court. Just going forward with the confidence that I have built up also from the previous tournament. Now with each match I've been feeling better and better. It just all comes pretty natural right now."

The 2014 Wimbledon semifinalist cites two main reasons for his 2017 success: He’s smarter and tougher on court.

“I think I'm taking better decisions when I come out on the court, better decisions in terms of points or how I'm going to play certain players or how I'm going to prepare, for example, before my matches,” said Dimitrov. Little things that are important for me in order to come to the court. I think my focus has been good. The mentality has been there.

"I've been present when I'm playing my matches. Just fighting. I keep on fighting. I have a good spirit on the court, being positive. There are obviously a lot of small things that when you put them up together it makes a big difference.”

 

Dimi. @grigordimitrov

A photo posted by corleve (@corleve) on



Dimitrov broke serve five times in a row dismissing Nadal, 6-2, 6-4, for his lone win over the King of Clay in their last meeting in the Beijing quarterfinals last fall.

Nadal, who defeated Dimitrov in four tight sets at the 2014 Australian Open, is aiming to reach his first major final since he ruled the 2014 Roland Garros. 

“Everybody thinks that he’s a potential major winner, no? But he was there probably little bit later than what we thought,” Nadal said of Dimitrov. “He’s a player that have been on the tour for a lot of years already. He’s a player that has an unbelievable talent, unbelievable potential. He started the season playing unbelievable, no?

“Is going to be a very tough match for me. I hope for him, too. I going to try to play my best because I know he’s playing with high confidence.”

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

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