Rafael Nadal vs Grigor Dimitrov: LIVE Shanghai Masters updates from quarter-final clash

The Spaniard overcame Fabio Fognini in the last 16 yesterday as he brushed the Italian aside 6-3 6-1.

Nadal goes into the match full of confidence with a 14-match winning streak behind him that includes a win over Dimitrov.

The Bulgarian came up against Nadal in the China Open semi-finals just six days ago and lost in straight sets.

Victory for Nadal today would take him to 870 career wins – tying Andre Agassi for sixth place on the Open Era career wins list.

Play started at around 8am BST this morning and you can follow live updates of the match below.

Rafael Nadal vs Grigor Dimitrov: LIVE Shanghai Masters updates

(*Denotes next server)

Nadal 6-4, 6-7 (4-7),  3-2 *Dimitrov 

Nadal even has the ability to make his opponents do the splits! Dimitrov stretches too much for one of Nadal’s forehands and finds himself on the floor again in this match.

He has his revenge though when he pulls off a delightful sliced effort to put pressure back on Nadal before delivering another backhand return to go to deuce.

He’s on fire as he gets a second break point with another backhand winner before Nadal ends his hopes and manages to hold – just.

*Nadal 6-4, 6-7 (4-7),  2-2 Dimitrov 

More cheers from the crowd as Dimitrov takes the lead with an out-stretched drop shot.

At 40-15 Dimitrov’s shot is too long and Nadal has a way back into it. He then follows that up with a fierce forehand to take it to deuce.

But his efforts prove futile as Dimitrov wraps up two quick points to hold.

Nadal 6-4, 6-7 (4-7),  2-1 *Dimitrov 

Dimitrov falls to the ground again during another rally as Nadal leads 30-15.

And just as we reach two hours on the clock Nadal holds serve once more.

*Nadal 6-4, 6-7 (4-7),  1-1 Dimitrov 

We’re now treated to one of the shots of the match from Dimitrov as he pulls off a ridiculoous cross-court shot that Nadal didn’t even attempt to reach.

And once again Dimitrov hold serve with an ace.

Nadal 6-4, 6-7 (4-7),  1-0 *Dimitrov 

Nadal has his game face on after slipping up in that tie-break and goes 30-0 up.

Dimitrov claws one back and then another with a fine forehand winner across court.

Dimitrov then challenges Nadal’s ace at game point but it was the correct call and Nadal holds.

Nadal 6-4, 6-7 (4-7) Dimitrov – DIMITROV WINS THE SECOND SET

Dimitrov takes the lead for the first time in the tie-break on his serve.

Nadal then looks to slip at a crucial moment and fires into the net to give Dimitrov set point.

Nadal fires into the net again and we’re going the distance! Dimitrov takes the second set.

Nadal 6-4, 6-6 (4-4) Dimitrov 

Nadal misses a simple return on his serve to give Dimitrov a way back into the match before the Bulgarian smashes one from close range to level the scores at 4-4.

Nadal 6-4, 6-6 (3-2) Dimitrov 

Nadal races 3-0 ahead in the tie-break and is once again looking to his corner for answers.

A shot to the back of the court pulls a point back for the Bulgarian before another ace takes it to 3-2.

Nadal 6-4, 6-6 *Dimitrov – TIE-BREAK

Dimitrov gives himself a serious pep talk to himself during the break and it works as he oes 15-0 up.

Nadal responds by correctly challenges a serve that was called out and levels.

Three quick points go Nadal’s way and we head into the tie-break.

*Nadal 6-4, 5-6 Dimitrov

Dimitrov challenges one of his serves at 15-15 but the call was correct. He then double faults at the next time of asking.

Another epic rally sees Dimitrov come out victorious in the following point as Nadal can’t return his forehand.

Once again Dimitrov finishes with an ace to lead 6-5.

Nadal 6-4, 5-5 *Dimitrov

Brilliant tennis from Nadal once again to race 30-0 ahead before he takes the lead.

Dimitrov pulls one point back before hitting the net. He’s looking to his coaches for answers… that’s not a good sign.

*Nadal 6-4, 4-5 Dimitrov

Dimitrov gets a stroke of luck as the ball clips the top of the net and despite Nadal making the shot he puts it wide.

At 40-0 the Bulgarian produces another ace to move 5-4 ahead in the second set.

Nadal 6-4, 4-4 *Dimitrov

Nadal races 40-0 ahead as Dimitrov find the net and then hits a shot long. 

The Spaniard then opens his body up and whips one into the corner that Dimitrov had no chance of returning.

*Nadal 6-4, 3-4 Dimitrov

These guys aren’t interested in short rallies. Three epic points sees Dimitrov lead 30-15 before he double faults.

He recovers quickly though to two points in quick succession before letting out a huge roar to the crowd.

Nadal 6-4, 3-3 *Dimitrov

Dimitrov looks to have the crowd on his side with another brilliant return from the net to take the score to 15-15.

Nadal then goes ahead 40-15 before Dimitrov delivers a wonderful backhand shot to the back of the court.

Up steps the Spaniard on the next point with a cross court shot that leaves Dimitrov on the floor. Nadal holds.

*Nadal 6-4, 2-3 Dimitrov

Dimitrov deserved to hold his serve there just for one delicious backhand down the line to take the scores to deuce that the crowd loved.

Nadal had plenty of chances to edge towards break point but fails to convert and his opponent eventually sees off the threat.

Nadal 6-4, 2-2 *Dimitrov

Nadal wastes no time on this service game as a fine combination of shots ses him hold serve.

*Nadal 6-4, 1-2 Dimitrov

Dimitrov is showing no signs of giving up in this one though as it’s his turn to give Nadal a run around the court.

Nadal has no answers as he finds himself 15-40 behind before Dimitrov holds serve.

Nadal 6-4, 1-1 *Dimitrov

From one corner of the court to the other – that’s Nadal’s style of play at the start of the second set as he races to 40-0 lead.

The no1 seed then dispatches Dimitrov with a powerful forehand winner.

*Nadal 6-4, 0-1 Dimitrov

Dimitrov comes out fighting and shows just how deadly his serve can be two aces to take the lead in the second set.

Nadal 6-4 *Dimitrov – NADAL TAKES THE FIRST SET

Nadal finds himself behind twice in the game and just looks to still be getting his breath back from the preivous game.

Dimitrov’s wayward effort then levels the scores to 30-30 before Nadal’s backhand down the line puts him within set point, to which the world no1 duly converts at the first attempt.

Nadal* 5-4 Dimitrov

You guessed it… Dimitrov falls behind once again on his serve – this time though it’s all Nadal’s doing with some phenonemal forehand shots.

Nadal gets three break points before Dimitrov saves himself twice and then Nadal hits a wayward shot to take it to deuce.

Nadal delivers the goods at the first time of asking with a forehand winner and then races to the left side of the court to fire it out of reach of Dimtrov.

Cue the first roar of emotion from the Spaniard as he breaks for the first time in the set.

Nadal 4-4 *Dimitrov

Another couple of brlliant rallies between thepair sees Nadal take a 30-15 lead with the Spaniard winning via a sliced shot on the third point.

Two points in quick succession follow as Nadal levels the scores to 4-4.

*Nadal 3-4 Dimitrov

It’s like Dimitrov wants to give Nadal a point on the board in every game as he falls behind once more.

The Bulgarian then takes the score to 30-30 with his best forehand of the match as it escapes Nadal with ease.

And then he pulls another forehand shot out of the top drawer to send Nadal the wrong way to hold serve.

Nadal 3-3 *Dimitrov

Yep, the world No1 is getting into his stride. A lovely drop shot draws Dimitrov to the net before Nadal smashes the ball to the back of the court.

He takes the game 40-0.

*Nadal 2-3 Dimitrov

Lightning quick reactions from Nadal as he makes Dimitrov stretch for a wide shot and then fires back into open space.

You feel Nadal is just starting to find his rhythm with some forehand shots but Dimitrov holds his serve.

Nadal 2-2 *Dimitrov

Nadal again loses the first point before serving up an ace to level at 15-15.

Nadal then shows his versatility winning a point from the back of the court with a long rally and then his reactions at the net prove too quick for his opponent to edge 40-15 in front.and then wraps up the game with a ferocious forehand.

*Nadal 1-2 Dimitrov

“Amazing – point of the week!” shouts the commenntator as Dimtrov sends Nadal long down the line as the ball clips the top of the net, only for the Spaniard to somehow reach it.

But Nadal’s shot lands just over the net and Dimitrov toys with his opponent as his return drop shot is out of reach for Nadal.

Nadal 1-1 *Dimitrov

Some early nerves for Nadal as he faults on his first serve and then puts a forehand long to fall 15-0 behind.

Dimitrov surely didn’t expect to find himelf on break point so early in the match but hits the net at the crucial moment.

Nadal overcomes his slight wobble when his opponent hits the net again and it’s all square.

*Nadal 0-1 Dimitrov

Dimitrov races to a 30-0 lead before Nadal gets his first point on the board.

The Bulgarian then sees out the game with a powerful serve to settle his nerves.

07:45: Both players will be due on court any minute now following Marin Cilic’s 6-3 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.