Summary

  • Rafael Nadal beats Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 6-4

  • Spaniard faces Dimitrov - his first Grand Slam semi-final since 2014

  • Serena Williams beats Johanna Konta 6-2 6-3 in last eight

  • Williams next plays Lucic-Baroni, who beat Pliskova 6-4 3-6 6-4

  1. Thirty doesn't hurtypublished at 11:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Men's semi-finals line-up:

    Roger Federer, aged 35, against Stan Wawrinka, aged 31

    Rafael Nadal, aged 30, against the spring chicken Grigor Dimtrov, aged 25.

    I'm only 33. I might go home and brush off the racquet and make a bid for the French Open.

    See you all later!

  2. Postpublished at 11:44 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    BBC Two

    But before that you can watch highlights of today's play, including Johanna Konta's defeat by Serena Williams, by tuning into BBC Two at 16:45 GMT.

  3. Postpublished at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    What's on the menu tomorrow?

    Both women's semi-finals, that's what.

    First up is Coco Vandeweghe v Venus Williams (not before 03:00 GMT) followed by Mirjana Lucic-Baroni v Serena Williams on Rod Laver.

    And then, from around 08:30 GMT, it's that humdinger of a swinger between the Swiss Supermen of Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.

    You can join us right here for live coverage and radio commentary.

  4. 'If you don't want to watch this you don't love the sport'published at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    FedererImage source, Getty Images

    What about the other semi-final, Roger Federer v Stan Wawrinka? Will Nadal be having a sneaky peak at that.

    "I love the sport. If you don’t want to watch this match you don’t like the sport.

    "I think it's amazing, after a tough injury to have Roger back in the semis again is great. Especially for him and all the people who love tennis. I want to cogratulate him for a great effort and wish both of them luck."

  5. 'Grigor is a great player'published at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    NadalImage source, AFP

    More from the Spanish superstar.

    "Milos beat me three weeks ago in Brisbane so I decided to go a little more inside the return. 

    "He has one of the top two serves asnd can play so aggressive on the returm. I had to concentrate on my serve and accept the difficulties."

    What about Grigor Dimitrov in the semis?

    "Grigor is a great player. Everybody thought he would be a top, top player before today. Finally he has started the season unbelievably. Last year was tough for him and when you come back strong it gives you even more power. I expect a tough match."

  6. Get ready for Federer v Nadal finalpublished at 11:33 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Simon Briggs
    Daily Telegraph tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    This tournament has been a thriller from start to finish.

    I'm going for the perfect final now - Federer v Nadal.

    Roger Federer and Rafa NadalImage source, Rex Features
  7. 'I had doubts'published at 11:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 Raonic

    Jim Courier asks Rafa Nadal if his injuries and lack of form had caused him to doubt whether he would reach a Grand Slam semi-final again.

    "I think I am not an arrogant person so I always have doubts. lt is normal. Even when I was winning a lot I had doubts.

    "So when I am not winning or have injuries I have more. When you have doubts you work more.

    "I had a great career and a lot of tough moments and it makes me enjoy even more the good moments I am having today."

  8. Postpublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 Raonic

    A huge leap and fist pump from Rafa after that. Emotion pouring off him like sweat.

    Let's hear what he has to say.

    Rafael Nadal celebratesImage source, AFP
  9. game, set and match

    Game, set and matchpublished at 11:21 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 Raonic

    I've worked out why Rafa Nadal wears a watch on court, because his timing is impeccable.

    He smothers Raonic with baseline shots and then rattles on to a blocked volley to clip across court and secure a semi-final spot with the only break of the set, just at the right time.

    We're a match away from Rafa v Roger final, by the way.

    Nadal and Raonic shake handsImage source, Reuters
  10. Match pointpublished at 11:20 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 5-4 Raonic*

    A corker of a passing winner gives Rafa first blood.

    Milos is tight. Backhand into the net. Crumbling. Eroding away.

    A remarkable rally. Raonic pops into the net.

    Three match points.

  11. Postpublished at 11:17 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 5-4 Raonic*

    Raonic is getting a bruising right now - but is still standing. A backhand long. A forehand into the net.

    You feel like he's hitting whatever he sees at the moment, rather than sticking to a game plan.

    Nadal nails an ace and is a break away from the semis.

    Milos RaonicImage source, Rex Features
  12. Postpublished at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    *Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 4-4 Raonic

    The crowd are trying to gee up a visibly flagging Raonic by whooping up a winner from the Canadian.

    He gets in a right pickle with a backhand volley that finds net strings and now Rafa has him shadow boxing at the net, poking, prodding and eventually watching a dinked slice turn away from him into the open court.

    A big ace - old dependable - gives him 40-30.

    And now we have a break in play because there's some wet stuff on the court... Nadal points to the sky. Is it bird poop? Or just Rafa sweat?

    A poor ball girl takes one for the team and mops up whatever it is.

    And team Raonic keeps plugging away as Milos holds.

  13. Davis Cup boost for GB?published at 11:10 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Simon Briggs
    Daily Telegraph tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    It's Canada v Great Britain in the Davis Cup next week and I cannot imagine that Raonic will want to play in that if he's carrying an injury, particularly if Nadal punishes him in the remaining games of this match, as Nadal tends to do to players with his relentless style.

  14. Postpublished at 11:09 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 4-3 Raonic*

    Tim Cahill and Richard KrajcekImage source, EPA

    I think I just spotted Australian football hero Tim Cahill in the Raonic box - it would make sense as the midfielder plays for Melbourne.

    Nadal skews his fourth double fault of the match but gets straight back on with it by lashing a forehand to the corner for a winner.

    Milos clangs into the net and Rafa holds.

    Is there a slight suggestion of a limp from Raonic?

  15. Postpublished at 11:06 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    *Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 3-3 Raonic

    Few players can pull off a second-serve ace down the middle but that's how good Milos Raonic is with the ball in hand.

    He follows it up with traditional first-serve ace.

    Rafa gets one back with a few extra revs and Raonic runs out of space.

    Nadal's running battle with umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore continues as she overrules a Rafa winner - the Spaniard challenges, raising his hand in the air with disdain, but the call was correct.

    Nadal gets back to deuce but flails a forehand long and watches an ace whizz past.

  16. Postpublished at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 3-2 Raonic*

    Clumsy? Rushed? Panicked? Raonic plunges a backhand volley into the net.

    And then frames a serve into the (Pat?) rafters.

    At 40-0 a second serve is called out. Nadal stares at the line as if it say that could never be possible.

    Raonic eventually stretches for a serve well out wide and can't keep it in.

  17. Postpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    *Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 2-2 Raonic

    Everyone loves a Slinky - and Nadal is bouncing around like one on the baseline to frustrate Raonic.

    The Canadian is chuntering away to himself at the other end. No need to though, it ends up being a decent hold.

    A Milos Raonic fanImage source, EPA
  18. Postpublished at 10:52 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 2-1 Raonic*

    A dwindling chant of "Let's go Milos, let's go" sparks up. The Rod Laver crowd want their money's worth.

    Firecracker forehand gobbles up the Raonic return for 15-15 followed by Milos going wide.

    Crash! A stylish overhead at the net from Rafa and scintillating forehand lets us know the Spaniard means business.

  19. Postpublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    *Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 1-1 Raonic

    Raonic is muttering to himself between points - which is pretty lively for him, considering his stoic personality.

    He's trying to steady the ship and not doing much wrong but Nadal is clinging on with hammer strokes from the baseline.

    Step-in chop backhand at the net holds the game.

  20. Postpublished at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2017

    Nadal 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 1-0 Raonic*

    Does Raonic crumble to dust now or find something in the tank?

    The early signs are not good as Nadal holds to love.