Australian Open 2017, Day 10, as it happened: Rafael Nadal beats Milos Raonic, to face Grigor Dimitrov

When you reach your first Grand Slam semifinal in 3 years 

Here are the Australian Open 2017 men’s singles semifinalists 

Question: How did you save those six set points?
Nadal: As I always do, I don’t know 

Raonic will also be wondering about the same

His reaction on winning the quarterfinal says it all – Rafael Nadal still has it, the pain and injuries notwithstanding. 

This is the 24th Grand Slam semifinal for the Spaniard, where he will meet Grigior Dimitrov. 

He’s through! #Nadal does it in straight sets to advance to a semifinal! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/sCxLCVeXJs

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2017

Nadal wins! 

Raonic, on serve, gets the last and final chance to to show some fight.
But Nadal is at his ruthless best and gets THREE MATCHPOINTS.
He needs only one as he seals a convincing 6-4 7-6 6-4 win over the highest ranking seed.

Nadal inhes closer at 5-3

Nadal races away with the game to lead 5-3.
On serve, the Spaniard is giving Roanic no room to challenge.
Grigir Dimitrov should be watching!

4-4 as Nadal gets ready to serve 

Raonic tries some crazy shots on his serve, but Nadal is right on the ball. 
The rally at the net was riveting, but Nadal’s impeccable placement means he wins that contest as well.
The #3 seed pulls back the game and set at 4-4.

Nadal leads 4-3, 2 games away from semi

Nadal’s runs with his service game, till a double faults gives Raonic a whiff.
But a massive Rafa forehand and another unforced error gives the Spaniard a 4-3 lead.

3-3 in Set 3 

Raonic puts that serve to better use, as he hits 13th ace of the match. But the unforced errors continue and Nadal does not relent and takes it to deuce.
This time, Raonic holds on and Nadal is forced into errors – as he hits his head in frustration – and the set goes to 3-3.

Nadal leads 3-2

Nadal races away with the set on serve.
Raonic, who seemed unable to put up a challenge in face of the power hitting, manages to score 2 quick points but can’t break.

Raonic levels set at 2-2

Raonic’s spurt of unforced errors continue, but a couple good shots see him seal the game and level the set 2-2.

Nadal leads 2 games to 1, 2 sets to love 

More power-hitting from the #9 seed and he looks convincing in the third set.

A look at the numbers from Set 2 

Raonic levels third set 2-2

Raonic seals the second game with the exquisite netpoint but will have to break Nadal to get a toe in this match. 
Can the third seed salvage it?

Nadal draws first blood in third set

He takes the first game comfortably.
Raonic needs to do something special here if we wants to go ahead.

Nadal takes Set 2 with a thrilling tiebreak

Nadal induces another error from the big Canadian as he gets the lead at 8-7 and Rafa does not let the setpoint go.
The former champion leads two sets to love, and it looks likes the highest remaining seed is having a tough time.

Tie break time 7-7

The tiebreak heats up
Raonic noses ahead with a smash off his serve to make it 7-6 and get another setpoint, which Nadal pulls back to level at 7-7

Tie break time 6-6

Another big rally and Raonic manages to smash one behind Nadal to secure setpoints.
But Nadal gets a chance thanks to Canadian’s unforced error.

Tie break time, 5-4

A stunning point this – a crosscourt rally sees a wonderful pickup and placement from Raonic to inch ahead 4-3.
He consolidates this lead with another good shot for 5-3, before Nadal angles one fine to make it 5-4

Tie break time, 5-4

A stunning point this – a crosscourt rally sees a wonderful pickup and placement from Raonic to inch ahead 4-3.
He consolidates this lead with another good shot for 5-3, before Nadal angles one fine to make it 5-4

Tie break time 3-3

Raonic sends one too far, as Nadal levels at 3-3 again.

Tie break time, 2-2

A longish rally sees Nadal overreach, scores level at 2-2.

Tie break time!

Raonioc gets on the board first with a big serve
Nadal responds with a whipping winner to level and then inches ahead to make it 2-1

Into the tie-break we go!

Nadal holds comfortbaly to make it 6-6.

Raonic edges ahead

Raonic ensures he does his job and holds for 6-5. Nadal will once again serve to stay in the set.

Nadal escapes after saving 3 break points! 

Nadal with an untimely double fault to gift Raonic two set points. Saves one with a fantastic serve out wide. On the next one, Raonic sends a backhand wide. Deuce. 

Nadal attempts a very poor dropshot to end the point but it barely even clips the top of the net. One more set point for Raonic. Nadal saves it with a forehand winner. And then claws out a hold. 5-5.

Nadal will now serve to stay alive in the second set at 5-4. Can Raonic finally break him?

Raonic living dangerously

And inevitably Raonic gets stretched to deuce. He wins the next point at the net and then holds serve with a forehand into the open court. 5-4.

Nadal makes it 4-4 quite comfortably and will now try and put pressure on Raonic’s serve. Very important service game coming up.

Raonic injury update:

It looks like it was a thigh injury/niggle for Raonic, he has returned with his right leg heavily strapped and taped.

Raonic with just too many errors at very crucial moments, could have broken in the last game had he pounced on his chances. But he manages to hold the next one and edges ahead 4-3. Still on serve.

Nadal with a bit of luck to make it 3-3

Nadal gets lucky on his service game after scrambling to the net for a pick-up at the net and Raonic had all the time in the world to hit it for a winner. His volley clips the top of the net and falls on his side.

Raonic returns after about a 7-minute long medical timeout. Nadal to resume the match with serving at 2-3.

Meanwhile, Nadal waits rather impatiently for Raonic to return…

Raonic has called for the trainer and has gone off the court to get an examination done. 5 minutes medical timeout is in countdown.

Raonic is venturing to the net a lot but with varying degrees of success. He has won only 15 out of his 28 points at the net. Nadal, on the other hand has come in 14 times and only lost one of those points. Proving to be the big difference. 

Nevertheless, Raonic holds quite comfortably and makes it 3-2.

Quick hold for Nadal and he makes it 2-2. But this set has already taken 25 minutes.

Raonic was again in a bit of trouble with Nadal creeping to 30-30 on his serve, but he recovers with two huge boomers down the tee to hold for 2-1.

Tough hold for Nadal to start second set

Raonic takes Nadal to deuce on his opening set with some huge inside-out forehands. Then he comes in to the net with a decent approach shot and Nadal sends his return long. 

Break point for the Canadian! Nadal come up with a sliding serve out wide and Raonic dumps his return into the net. Deuce once again. 

Advantage for Nadal with a forehand down the line winner. But the game is back to deuce as Nadal’s forehand goes flying long. 

Raonic’s efforts at the net outdone again by the Spaniard. Nadal throws a double fault and the game is back at deuce. But he wins the next two points to get out of jail.

Nadal FINALLY holds after saving a break point to make it 1-1.

The numbers from the 1st set

Milos Raonic start the second set with an easy service game, and holds to 15.

Nadal takes first set 6-4

Nadal, serving for the set after 45 minutes, starts with a wonderful point at the net but drives the next one into. Roanic responds with an unforced error of his own and misses a forehand to give the #9 seed two setpoints, which he comfortably takes with a powerful smash.

Raonic recovers on serve

Roanic serving to stay in the set, misses another shot down the line, but recovers with a powerful ace.
Nadal responds with another crosscourt cracker but it is the big Canadian’s serve that sees him through the game and keeps the set alive at 4-5.

Nadal noses ahead

Nadal getting into his groove with another terrific forehand down the line as he races away to first 2 points.
Raonic gets a smash point in, before Nadal induces errors from the #3 seed to take the game and a 5-3 lead.

Nadal breaks!

Nadal draws first blood in the match with his well-placed winners, making Raonic stretch and sweat as he gets another breakpoint and this time he converts it.
The Spaniard leads 4-3.

Nadal levels 3-3

Nadal making Raonic run now. Takes 4 quick points in a row to take the game to love, levelling the set 3-3

Raonic leads 3-2

The Raonic serve at it again; pushes Nadal to all parts of the court, but tends to overreach as well.
Nadal gets a breakpoint, but drives his volley into the net, giving the Canadian’s serve a chance to recover and take the game.

Nadal makes it 2-2 with wonder shots

A crosscourt rally ends with a cutting Rafa forehand as he takes a stunning point, while Raonic gets his own in with a point on the edge of the baseline. 
Nadal noses ahead with a powerful backhand, but Raonic forces a deuce for more crosscourt rallying which ends with the Canadian hitting the net twice.

Nadal keeps it straight..

Meanwhile… 

Roanic makes it 2-1

There’s the booming serve we are talking about.
Raonic takes the game to love, thanks to a smashing winner and a deft netpoint.

Nadal takes second game to love 

On serve, Nadal gets his own back as Raonic’s backhand falters again, and #9 seed takes the game to love.

Look who is out to support Raonic

First game to Raonic, 1-0

Raonic serves first and we see unforced errors to start with, followed by a double fault. Nadal takes it to deuces with a cracking shot and the Canadian’s errors don’t help, but with a serve like his, he takes the advantage and the game.

Who will face Dimitrov in the semis?

#9 Rafael Nadal or #3 Milos Raonic – who is your pick?

Best chance 

Rafael Nadal will face his toughest challenge yet as he will play Milos Raonic, the top remaining seed, in the quarterfinal. 
The Spanish 14-time Grand Slam champion could be troubles by the big-serving Canadian, but from his run to the quarters, it seems that Rafa is the fittest he has been in years. Meanwhile, Raonic will be hoping to make full use of the easier draw to stake a claim at a major trophy.

Either way, this is the best chance yet for both to claim the silverware.

Australian Open 2017: Milos Raonic’s booming serve could end Rafael Nadal’s run in quarter-finalhttp://www.firstpost.com

Another top seed upset

Andrea Hlavackova and Peng Shuai knock out #1 seeds Carolina Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic 7-6 6-2 to reach women’s doubles finals.

I think going to be a tough match for me, for sure. Hopefully for him, too. – Nadal ahead of his quarterfinal match against Raonic

“I think going to be a tough match for me, for sure. Hopefully for him, too.” – @rafaelnadal #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/19J2XBvQGw

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2017

The final quarter-final of Australian Open 2017 will start in about 20 minutes — No. 3 Milos Raonic vs No. 9 Rafael Nadal! 

Stay tuned for regular updates.

Make sure you follow our live blog tomorrow morning as well! Two intriguing women’s semi-finals in store.

This win means a lot for the Bulgarian! 

The SF awaits @GrigorDimitrov #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/heBzhEtV5h

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2017

Dominant Dimitrov powers through

While Goffin held on in the previous game in the face of 2 matchpoints, he gave away far too many free points to Dimitrov in the last game to seal the #15 seed’s massive win in 2 hours 13 minutes. 

The game that saw some great rallies and stunning points, but in the end, was won on the back of nervy unforced errors and powerful shot-making by Dimitrov.

Dimitrov wins

#15 seed Grigor Dimitrov decimates #11 David Goffin 6-3 6-2 6- 4 to reach his second Grand Slam semifinal.

Goffin with another nervy hold

Facing 2 matchpoints, the Belgian held his nerve on deuce.
But it may just be too little, too late as Dimitrov gets ready to serve for the match.

Dimitrov holds, one game away from win

This match sees another 20-shot rally as the two spar in another game but a spectacular volley by Goffin, running from the baseline to slice it across the net, is overshadowed by a smashing shot by Dimitrov who leads the third set 5-3 and is a game away from a semifinal spot.

Dimitrov breaks again

Goffin seemed to have upped his service game this set. Props to that a stunning point with a crosscourt hit followed by a volley shows.

However, Dimitrov is no mood to relent as he breaks on deuce to make it 4-3 in his favour.

Dimitrov races away with the game on serve to level third set 3-3.

Goffin holds in a crucial game, despite being 2 breakpoints down.

A 20-shot rally – the longest in the match – on deuce coupled with a spinning volley on net from Goffin and unforced errors from Dimitrov gives #11 seed the edge to grind out a hold. The third set is 3-2 to Goffin, as Dimitrov serves next.

Dimitrov holds, third set tied on 2-2

A double fault and a spectacular netpoint later, Dimitrov takes the game to tie the set 2-2.

Goffin holds

Another important hold for the #11 seed, as Dimitrov pushed for a break with several deuces. 
But the Belgian’s serve sees him through this, to lead the third set 2-1.

The stats from the second set. Goffin committing way too many errors, especially at crucial momnets.

Meanwhile, relive this stunning point from the first set 

@FortyDeuceTwits as requested ???? pic.twitter.com/PDTyOOsubf

— Paris Mackey (@ParisMackey) January 25, 2017

Dimitrov takes the second game on serve with couple of deft forehand touches that Goffin couldn’t answer.

The sets stands at 1-1,

Goffin takes the first game of the third set.

He will need to do a lot more of if the #11 seed wants to stay in the match.

Dimitrov wins 2nd set!

On his second break point, Grigor Dimitrov takes the second set to lead 6-3, 6-2 over David Goffin.

Upset Alert

Top seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert-Nicolas Mahut knocked out by Australian wildcards Marc Polmans-Andrew Whittington 7-6(2) 2-6 6-4  in the men’s doubles quarterfinals.

Goffin isn’t giving up just yet. He has a break point on Dimitrov’s serve. 

Dimitrov saves the break point with booming ground stokes. He used his forehand well to move Goffin all over the court and then struck a deep inside-out forehand into the corner. Deuce. 

Goffin brings up another break point with a forehand winner down the line. A long rally prevails and Goffin ends up hitting his forehand into he net. Back to deuce. 

Third break point of the game for Goffin as he pushes Dimitrov to far behind the baseline and controlled the rally for a change. 

Goffin just can’t win two points together. He nets another return and we are back at deuce. This time Dimitrov wins the point and brings up set point. 

On set point, Dimitrov fires a gorgeous backhand but Goffin comes up with some amazing defense to turn the point in his favour. He clinches it by passing Dimitrov at the net. Deuce. 

Advantage for Dimitrov and this time, on his second set point, he takes the second set with a forehand pass.

Dimitrov with a smashing backhand winner and he brings up two break points. 

Goffin can’t control his return at 15-40 and is broken once again in the second set. Dimitrov will now serve for a two-sets-to-love lead at 5-2.

Dimitrov saves one break point and then grinds out a tough hold to keep his lead in the second set intact. 4-2.

Goffin holds as well

Important hold for Goffin, and he has some unforced errors on Dimitrov’s part to thanks.
Second set stands at 3-2.

Meanwhile, Nadal is out practicing for his quarterfinal match 

Dimitrov takes the game to lead the second set 3-1.

Dimitrov breaks again

This set has seen 3 breaks in a row as the Bulgarian breaks back, leads the set 2-1.

The numbers Set 1 

Goffin breaks right back

The Belgian gets some of his own, when an unforced error and a well placed shot gives him a break over Dimitrov to tie second set at 1-1.

Dimitrov breaks again, the first game of the second set. 

Goffin dancing around the court but the #15 looks to sharp for him.

Dimitrov takes first set

Another long game and stylish rally later, Dimitrov takes the opening set 6-3 over Goffin.

The Bulgarian has unleashed his full repertoire of shots in a cracker of a set.

Dimitrov breaks!

The Bulgarian ​earned four breakpoints before converting one in a game that lasted 10 minutes and had the a 16-shot rally, the longest in the match so far.

He now serves for the set at 5-3.

Dimitrov inches ahaed 4-3 in the first set after another lengthy rally.

Here’s the women’s semifinal lineup 

Goffin holds to tie the first set 3-3.

If the first 6 games were any indication, we are in for a thrilling quarterfinals.

Goffin breaks! 

Some stylish hitting sees #11 seed breaking Dimitrov after a particularly eye-catching rally, studded with a massive backhand and an excellent volley close to the net. 

2-3 in the first set.

Did You Know: The last time three women from USA reached the semifinals of same Grand Slam in singles, was at the US Open back in 2002. Two of them are back at it in the 2017 Australian Open – Venus and Serena Williams.

Here’s something to blow your mind…

Goffin holds to love as he takes as he wins his first game in the match. 
The first set stands at 3-1 with Dimitrov to serve.

Dimitrov holds to keep it 3-0.

It’s been only 3 games and we are seeing some fantastic rallies between Dimitrov and Goffin.

A sign of the match to come?

Dimitrov breaks Goffin right at the start!

That’s great breakpoint conversion from the #15 seed.

Dimitrov takes the first game in a jiffy, Goffin on serve now

Goffin takes on Dimitrov 

Time for the men’s quarterfinals between #11 David Goffin and #15 Grigor Dimitrov.

While Dimitrov has been on a resurgent run, with a trophy in Brisbane, Goffin has been playing some scintillating tennis this season.

Strap in for a cracker of a game.

Second seeds Sania Mirza-Ivan Dodig beat Rohan Bopanna-Gabriela Dabrowski 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 in a thrilling super tiebreak to reach the mixed doubles semifinals

Mirza and Dodig have saved THREE matchpoints here. 
The second seeds won’t give in that easy

Mirza-Dodig bounce back, to take it to 9-9 in super tiebreaker. 

This quarterfinal is all set for a thrilling finale!

Matchpoint for Bopanna and Dabrowski!

Bopanna-Dabrowski racing away with the lead at 7-5

Can we see an upset over second seeds here?

Bopanna-Dabrowski and Mirza-Dodig locked 4-4 in the super tiebreaker.

Serena wins!

The World No 2 serves out the match to love. Serena Williams defeats Jo Konta 6-2, 6-3 in 1 hour and 15minutes.

Bopanna and Dabrowski, fight back to take the second set 6-3 over Mirza and Dodig. 

Time for the super tiebreaker as both teams have a set a piece.

Serena breaks with a crisp winner!

The American has won the last four games, and will serve for her 10th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal at 5-3.

Bopanna-Dabrowski lead the second set 5-3, and will serve for the set. 

Looks like we will see a super tiebreak here in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.

Mirza-Dodig pull one back, take the next game to leave second set at 2-4.

Despite the break, Konta is moving really well and constructing points to come at the net. She has another break point on the Serena serve. 

Serena saves it with a big second serve! Deuce. Another ace and it’s advantage Williams. 

With her 9th ace, she holds for 4-3.

Much stronger showing from Bopanna-Dabrowski in the second set, they lead 4-1 over the second seeds.

Serena breaks back! What an unbelievable point that Konta could have finished off but Serena’s defence helps her dig out a winner in the end. It’s back on serve at 3-3.

The mixed doubles quarterfinal involving two Indians – Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna – albeit on the opposite sides, has generated quite a buzz on social media, with several fans tuning in to watch, over the quarterfinal between Serena Williams and Johanna Konta. 

Konta consolidates and is playing with so much more confidence in the second set. Serena seems to have lost her rhythm and is committing more unforced errors now. 3-1.

And Jo Konta breaks! Brilliantly done by the No 9 seed as she pushes Serena behind the baseline to force her into an error. She leads 2-1.

Mirza-Dodig draw first blood

Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig have taken the first set 6-4 against Rohan Bopanna and Gabriela Dabrowski

Serena throws in a rare double fault and it’s 40-30 on her serve. Small window perhaps for the Brit who hasn’t had a look since the break point in the first set. Deuce.

What a massive hold for Konta! She fights back from 0-40 to claw her way into the game and makes it 1-1.

Serena begins the second set just as she did with the first – with an easy service hold.

On Konta’s serve, Serena created three break points but the Brit fought back to make it deuce.

Serena cruises!

Serena Williams takes the opening set 6-2 over Johanna Konta in 35 minutes, with two breaks of serves.

Konta hits a great serve down the tee, going for placement more than speed, and she gets ahead 40-15 on her serve. Serena crushes a return on the next point to make it 40-30. Serena just too strong and makes it deuce.

After another couple of deuces, Serena brings up set point and seasl the opening set with another thunderous deep forehand that Konta sends back long.

26 minutes into the first set and Serena leads 5-2. She’s hitting the ball very cleanly and is in complete control of the opener.

Konta holds serve to stop the run of games by Serena. It’s 4-2 in the opening set.

Serena breaks first in the quarter-final! The American doing a great job of moving Konta from corner to corner with her powerful ground strokes. 3-1.

It’s on serve early in the match at 2-1. Serena Williams in two games has already served up some sizzling service winners. One at 198 kmph — the fatsest at the Australian Open by a woman.

It’s time for the last quarter-final in the women’s draw — Serena Williams vs Johanna Konta!

What a stat! 

You won’t watch a better post-match interview than this one. What a moment! 

What a journey it’s been for Mirjana Lucic-Baroni! She made her first semi-final at 1999 in Wimbledon. Now in 2017 she’s back in another Grand Slam semi-final. Totally overcome with emotion on court after win.

The fairytale run continues!

World No 79 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni upsets No 5 Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to her first Australian Open semi-final!

After winning 9 points in a row, Lucic-Baroni finally hits one into the net. Follows that error with an ace. Two points away.

Terrible game from Pliskova throwing errors all over the place and Lucic-Baroni capitalises! She breaks to love and will now serve for the match at 5-4/

After the medical timeout, Lucic Baroni hasn’t dropped a single point.

Excellent quick service game from Lucic-Baroni. Serves it out in a minute to make it 4-4.

Lucic-Baroni is back on court after her medical timeout. She will now serve at 3-4.

She starts off with an ace.

Oh the medical timeout has been called out by Lucic-Baroni, not Pliskova. The Croat has gone off the court with the trainer for some treatment.

Pliskova finally has a relatively easy hold and she edges ahead 4-3. She has once again called for the trainer.

There have been 12 holds of serve in this Pliskova/Lucic-Baroni slugfest. 13 breaks.

Three break points for Pliskova at 0-40 on Lucic-Baroni’s serve.

She wasted the first two but gets rewarded on the third as the Croat dumped a return into the net. 

Remember, Pliskova was down 2-5 against Ostapenko in her last match and found a way to win it. Could we see another resurgence from Pliskova?

Very important hold at 15 from Pliskova to keep herself in the third set. It’s just one break of serve in the decider and the No 5 seed must try and put the pressure on her opponent now.

Lucic-Baroni to serve at 3-2.

Pliskova flung her racquet in frustration after getting broken again in the third set. 

Eeeks this stat!

Lucic-Baroni hitting with so much confidence now. Hitting winners at will again and playing free-flowing tennis from the baseline like in the first set. 

She consolidates for a 3-1 lead.

Another break of serve!

Pliskova is just not finding any pace on her serves in this match. She went down two break points, and the Lucic-Baroni came up with a fantastic forehand winner to lead again in the third set. 1-2.

Error-strewn game from Lucic-Baroni and she hands the break back. Players have rarely been able to consolidate in this match and Pliskova may just have an advantage serving first in the deciding set. 1-1.

Lucic-Baroni breaks to start the third set!

The Croatian sticking to her game plan despite dropping the second set, she continued to attack the second serve and came to the net at deuce to set up her scone break point. She got a look at another second serve right on the middle of the box and hammered it back at Pliksova’s fee, who couldn’t control her return and sent her backhand flying.

Pliskova levels the match!

Karolina Pliskova breaks to love to wrap up the second set 6-3 in 36 minutes.

Wonderful game with some great tennis frm both players! At full stretch, both Pliskova and Lucic-Baroni came up with stunning pick-ups and the Czech eventually holds with a forehand down the line.

Important #analysis. 

On her own serve, Lucic-Baroni trailed 15-30. she comes up with her third ace to make it 30-30. Then follows it up with a double fault to hand Pliskova another break point. On her next point, Lucic-Baroni hit an ace down the tee, taking the pace off it. Deuce. A deep return from Pliskova and she gets another break point.

Lucic-Baroni came to the net after setting the point perfectly after a great pick up but then couldn’t get her timing right on the overhead. The smash landed up plump at the bottom of the net and Pliskova with the break of serve again. 4-3.

Lucic-Baroni breaks back immediately. She’s not letting Pliskova find any kind of rhythm and is troubling the Czech with her deep forehands. Back on serve, 3-3.

Two break point opportunities for Pliskova to get back in the match. On the first one, the Czech dumped a backhand in the net. On the second, Pliskova stayed patient and waited for Luci-Baroni to commit an error. She’s taken the lead in the second set, 3-2.

Here’s a look at some of the stats from the match so far. Pliskova’s second serves have really let down and Lucic-Baroni has attacked them as often as possible. 

Lucic-Baroni got it to deuce from 15-40 but Pliskova gets out of jail with two good serves. 2-2.

The trainer came out and put a lot of bandaging on Pliskova’s right foot. It will be interesting to see if it hampers the Czech player’s movement.

Pliskova getting some treatment for blisters on her right foot over the medical timeout. 

Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka is already practicing for his semi-final against Roger Federer tomorrow, 

Lucic-Baroni sends a backhand long and we are back on serve in the 2nd set. 2-1. Pliskova has called for a trainer for what appears to be an injury on her irght foot.

Three break back points for Pliskova! she needs to break the momentum to get back into the match.

Mirjana Luci-Baroni, the No 79 player in the world is 6-4, 2-0 up in the quarter-final against 5th seed Karolina Pliskova.

Average rally length in the  1st set: 3 shots

Pliskova sends a forehand long and Lucic-Baroni has taken the opening set 6-4. Nice turnaround from the Croatian as she fought back from 1-3 deficit to eventually win the set. Great hitting from Lucic-Baroni! She stepped up right when it mattered the most.

Serving at 4-5, Pliskova is in trouble again. Lucic-Baroni has three set points!

Pliskova fires an ace down the tee at 30-30 to get out of a mini hole. She levels things up in the opening set at 4-4.