Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov in stunning rally… ends with the shot of Shanghai Masters
RAFAEL NADAL and Grigor Dimitrov have played out the best point you will see at the Shanghai Masters.
Shanghai Masters: Dimitrov hits incredible winner past Nadal
The two tennis heavyweights went toe-to-toe in the quarter-finals of a classic in China this morning.
Nadal got a single break to take the first set 6-4 before Dimitrov levelled after a second-set tie-break.
The Spaniard held serve in the opening game of the deciding set before a tense second game was level at 15-15.
And it was then when the point of the tournament so far was played out.
Dimitrov served out wide but Nadal managed to claw a backhand into play to set up the prolonged exchange.
Rafael Nadal hit this big forehand down the line
But Grigor Dimitrov replied with a stunning cross court forehand
The Bulgarian reacted with a backhand slice into the Nadal forehand and the pair proceed to trade cross-court blows.
Nadal then takes a gamble with a monster forehand up the line that looks to have won him the point.
But Dimitrov had other ideas, making good ground to his forehand side before unleashing a stunning cross-court winner past the world No.1.
The point had the crowd on their feet while Dimitrov reacted with a huge roar.
Dimitrov's forehand flew past Rafael Nadal for a clean winner
Grigor Dimitrov roared after his stunning winner past Rafael Nadal
Dimitrov took Nadal into a decider at the China Open last week only to go off the boil when it mattered most.
And the same happened in Shanghai as - despite Dimitrov's stunning winner here - Nadal roared back to take a 6-4 6-7 6-3 win.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion meets Marin Cilic in the semis tomorrow.