Rafael Nadal hits top form to dispatch Milos Raonic in straight sets

The Spaniard was simply too good for his Canadian opponent, running out as a straight sets winner - 6-4 7-6 6-4.

A closely-fought first set was settled when Nadal broke Raonic's serve at 5-4* to move into a one-set lead.

But it was the second set where Nadal really laid down a marker. The Spaniard saved a remarkable six set points, toughing his way through a tie break to leave Raonic needing a five-set comeback to reach what would have been the third Grand Slam semi-final of his career.

However, Nadal was relentless in the third set and won the match against the serve to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2014 French Open.

Nadal will face Dimitrov in the semi-finals, with the possibility of a final against Roger Federer on the horizon.

Raonic offered no excuses for his performance.

"There were some opportunities in that second set. Other than that, there wasn't much for me to hold onto," Raonic told reporters.

"I thought he did some things well. I thought, you know, he took the match to me. He did something a little bit different than he normally does. He played better than I did.

"Obviously this tournament, for me in general, these last now two and a half weeks, have been quite difficult just trying to manage everything," he said.

"First dealing with the physical aspect, getting myself quite ready, then dealing with the health aspect, then now with this."