RAFAEL Nadal overcame an abdominal injury and Denis Shapovalov to win in five sets as he reached his 36th Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open yesterday.

The Spaniard, who is gunning for a record 21st Grand Slam title, appeared to be cruising with a two-set lead before the Canadian mounted a fightback.

But Nadal, who had called the trainer for an abdominal issue during the fourth set, made his experience count to move ahead early in the fifth and hold on for a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory.

A relieved Nadal said: “I was completely destroyed. Very tough day, very warm. I didn’t practise for it.

“I was a little bit lucky at the beginning of the fifth. At the beginning of the match, I was playing great but I know how difficult it is to play against a player like Denis.

“For me, it’s amazing to be in the semi-finals.”

The 35-year-old has two days off to try to recover physically before his semi-final against Matteo Berrettini, who beat Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2.

“I started to feel not very well in my stomach,” said the sixth seed. “I think I was lucky that I was serving great in the fifth. It was a great test and I really believe I’m going to be ready for that semi-final.”

Shapovalov was unable to find his best form in the opening set, though, and then showed his frustration by getting into a row with umpire Carlos Bernardes over the time Nadal was taking between points.

It did not distract Nadal, who moved into a two-set lead, but Shapovalov began to turn the tide in the third set and clinched it with a backhand winner after his opponent was given a time violation.

Nadal began to look weary and troubled in the fourth set, leaving the court for six and a half minutes at the end of it for a medical examination and a toilet break.

Two double faults – he served 11 during the match – put him in trouble in the opening game of the decider but Shapovalov could not take advantage and then dropped serve himself to give Nadal a lifeline.

The Spaniard seized it, finding more conviction in his shots again and exploiting costly errors from his opponent, who felt he had the match in his grasp.

When a final backhand volley drifted wide, Shapovalov smashed his racquet angrily on the court while Nadal celebrated reaching his 36th Grand Slam semi-final. (Sky Sports)