Rafael Nadal reveals what he really thinks of Grigor Dimitrov ahead of China Open clash
GETTY Rafael Nadal takes on Grigor Dimitrov in the China Open semis
Nadal extended his winning run to 10 matches by beating John Isner in the quarter-finals of the China Open.
The US Open champion lost to Isner at the Laver Cup last month but looked sharp, playing a brilliant second-set tie-break to win 6-4 7-6 (7-0).
In the last four Nadal will face Dimitrov, who battled his way to a 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-2 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut.
The pair played one of the matches of the season in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, which the Spaniard eventually won in five sets.
Nadal told atpworldtour.com: "He is a player that I really like, a good friend on the tour. He's a great guy.
GETTY Grigor Dimitrov battled into the semis with victory over Roberto Bautista Agut
"I think Grigor is a player always with a great attitude, with a positive character.
“I’m happy for him that he's having a good year. Tomorrow will be a tough one, for sure."
The other semi-final in Beijing is also a mouth-watering affair, with second seed Alexander Zverev taking on Nick Kyrgios.
Zverev won the battle of the young guns 6-2 6-3 against Andrey Rublev while Kyrgios was leading Steve Darcis 6-3 3-0 when the Belgian retired with a neck problem.