RAFAEL NADAL WARNED he needs to quickly improve his misfiring serve — hampered by large blisters on his left hand — or face defeat in the Australian Open semi-finals against Roger Federer.
Nadal got home 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 against Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight and will now play either Andy Murray or Roger Federer for a place in Sunday’s final.
But the world number one’s serve, compromised by an ugly-looking blister in the palm of his left hand, was vulnerable and he gave up seven double-faults, including two of them on break points.
Nadal's blistered hand. Credit: Andrew Brownbill/AP/Press Association Images
The inconvenience threatens to derail Nadal's hopes of a second Australian title following his triumph in 2009 and his 14th Grand Slam crown overall.
Nadal said protective tape over the blister meant he could play on, but badly affected his serve because of the loss of feel.
"With the forehand it's not a big issue (but) with the serve, a little bit," Nadal said.
I feel that with the (protective) tape I can lose the racquet when I'm serving. It's a terrible feeling for a serve, because when you have this feeling you are not able to accelerate at the right moment.
"I lost a little bit of coordination. Yeah, that's a big deal. I served slower. I served bad."
Nadal faces Federer after the Swiss sixth seed beat the Wimbledon champion 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 in three hours 20 minutes.
