Nadal beats Dimitrov in five thrilling sets
Spaniard wins 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4
Nadal plays Federer in Sunday's final
His first major final since 2014
Match took four hours and 56 minutes
*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 5-4 Dimitrov
Gri-gor! Gri-gor!
The Bulgarian fans are the ones chanting now as their man chases down a drop volley and punches away a winner past a helpless Rafael Nadal.
*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 5-4 Dimitrov
Grigor Dimitrov slaps long over the baseline to hand Rafael Nadal 30-0.
Two points seperate the Spaniard from his place alongside Roger Federer in Sunday's final.
Image source, EPA*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 5-4 Dimitrov
The players climb back to the baselines and the crowd give a standing ovation to both men.
Entirely deserved.
*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 5-4 Dimitrov
The Rod Laver Arena would not be louder if you transplanted the whole thing to Majorca.
Rafael Nadal finds the angle to unleash jubilation among his supporters.
He serves for the match and a place in the final next.
Image source, Getty ImagesNadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 4-4 *Dimitrov
Grigor Dimitrov stares into the pit of defeat, summons his best self and wins the next two points with bold attacking tennis.
He is going to have to do it once more though.
A thick net cord flies long off the Bulgarian's racquet.
Break point Nadal.
Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 4-4 *Dimitrov
Oh, Grigor.
So close in the last game, now the Bulgarian comes under the pump.
A double-fault sees him slide to 0-30 and the Spanish contingent in the crowd sense blood.
Image source, Reuters#bbctennis
Sarah Williams: This match has lasted longer than my iPad battery.
Peter Ladd: ARGH Rafa why can't you just finish Dimitrov off! You're causing major delays to my essay on the crux of St. Paul's theology.
Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
This is why Nadal is such a great champion. He takes his game to a whole new aggressive level on the biggest points.
Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 4-4 *Dimitrov
One fist is just not enough.
Rafael Nadal turns and pumps both, mouthing to his coach and family in the crowd.
On we go.
Image source, AFP*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 3-4 Dimitrov
Is this the chance? The glimmer of opportunity?
Grigor Dimitrov with the sunny side of 0-30 to look at.
Rafael Nadal knuckles down to win the next point, but Dimitrov moves his man left and right before landing the jackhammer smash to bring up two break points at 15-40.
Convert one of these and he will be serving for the match.
Nadal slaps away a winner to save the first.
He comes chasing to the net to volley away the second.
Immense spirit, impeccable technique, eye-popping drama. And deuce.
Image source, EPA#bbctennis
Louie Chandler: This is going to go on for hours yet, isn't it?
Vicki Spreadbury: Seriously though guys, I need to leave the house in less than an hour. Can one of you turn the screw a bit please?
*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 3-4 Dimitrov
Grigor Dimitrov's forehand is still popping, but there are a few more bum notes in there.
He splatters wide to bring up 30-30. He then crunches away a high bounce for 40-30, but Nadal, as persistent as a winter cold, pegs him back to deuce.
Dimitrov rolls away a forehand to see his way through though.
You might as well toss a coin or consult your magic eight ball. Despite four and a half hours of action, I've no more of a clue whogunnawonit.
#bbctennis
Kunal Gupta: This is an absolutely ridiculous game of tennis.
Beccy Allen: I've got everything crossed...! THIS IS TENSE, even just watching the live reporting on #bbctennis, external#Rafa, external#Rafa, external#Rafa, external#Rafa, external
Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 3-3 *Dimitrov
Rafael Nadal lets rip with a monster forehand and Grigor Dimitrov is stretched out of shape for 30-0.
Grigor Dimitrov cannot dig out a second serve that was trained on his diaphragm.
Less tactics, more ballistics on Rafa's next serve, thundered down the centre to close out to love.
Image source, Getty Images
Simon Briggs
Daily Telegraph tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
I get a slight sense that Dimitrov is getting a little bit tired. He seems to be playing a few weak shots.
#bbctennis
Idowu: Rafa and Dimitrov playing tennis from outer space!
Anton Wilson: The game needs new champions. Big Fed vs Little Fed, please :)
*Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 2-3 Dimitrov
Grigor Dimitrov hammers away the smash to close out and see himself safely back to his changeover chair and a sip of isotonic.
Both men's serve are looking wobbly.
There could be some twists and turns to play out yet.
Image source, AFPNadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 2-2 *Dimitrov
Grigor Dimitrov's stretching, sliding backhand breaks down and splutters into the net for 30-30.
Dimitrov comes perilously close to a double fault with a second serve let. Into a rally.
Dimitrov swats a backhand into the net as he looks down the line. Break point.
Rafael Nadal throws his head back in frustration as he drifts long at the back to give it away.
Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 2-2 *Dimitrov
Rafael Nadal is not looking up at his box so much anymore.
As he holds to 30, he shakes his head like a lion giving some breeze to his mane and hollers towards his toes.
This is turning into a mano-a-mano battle of survival as we go deep into the fifth set and hour.
Image source, EPA