Injured Nadal bows out of Australian Open to Cilic

Melbourne, January 23: Rafael Nadal's Australian Open hopes were dashed in cruel fashion as he retired through injury in the fifth set of his quarter-final against Marin Cilic.

Former US Open champion Cilic produced a hugely impressive display on Rod Laver Arena, his stinging, flat forehands a particularly potent weapon throughout a contest that was brought to a premature end after three hours and 47 minutes.

However, the Croatian was significantly aided by a clear deterioration in the fitness of Nadal, whose movement was compromised after he called for a medical timeout in the fourth set.

Although Nadal initially continued after receiving prolonged treatment on his upper right leg, he was ultimately unable to compete and retired when trailing 3-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 2-0.

Cilic will now face surprise package Kyle Edmund in the last four, with hopes of a rematch of last year's final between Nadal and Roger Federer having been sensationally ended.

The seriousness of Nadal's injury remains to be seen, but the top seed cut a forlorn figure as he exited the court to sympathetic applause, a day on from an ailing Novak Djokovic suffering defeat to Hyeon Chung.

Nadal failed to initially capitalise when a succession of Cilic errors provided him with five chances to break in the sixth game, but the world number one soon seized control before sealing the opening set with a forehand winner.

Cilic then fell behind early in set two, double faulting on break point after receiving a time violation, but a swift turnaround followed with the Croatian seemingly fired up by the umpire's intervention.

The aggrieved sixth seed duly reeled off four games in a row to level the match, enjoying particular success against Nadal's second serve as he adopted a more aggressive approach.

Amid rising tension, both men were showing emotion on an increasingly regular basis and a reflex volley from Nadal was followed by a trademark fist pump as he stopped the rot in the first game of the third set with a crucial hold.

After saving three break points and spurning a solitary opportunity of his own when leading 5-4, there was an even bigger reaction when the Spaniard eventually regained the advantage at the end of an absorbing tie-break.

Unfortunate scenes here with the world No.1 Rafael #Nadal retiring hurt in the QF @Cilic_Marin progresses through to the SF. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/IEjPruzvdi

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2018

Nadal let out a huge roar to celebrate putting away a smash on set point, but Cilic came storming back once again to break for a 3-1 lead in the fourth.

Out of the blue, Nadal then called for a medical timeout at the next changeover and received prolonged treatment.

His movement was significantly limited thereafter, even though he came from 0-40 down to hold in the next game, and Cilic suddenly looked a strong favourite as he broke again to force a decider.

That final set ultimately lasted just two games, Nadal bringing an end to proceedings after he had bravely saved five break points before finally falling 2-0 down.

Cilic now has a golden opportunity to reach his third grand slam final, while Nadal will await news on another painful injury setback.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Cilic [6] bt Nadal [1] 3-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 2-0 Ret.

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Cilic - 83/62 Nadal - 39/32

Source: OPTA

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Cilic - 20/8 Nadal - 3/2

BREAK POINTS WON Cilic - 5/19 Nadal - 2/10

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Cilic - 67 Nadal - 75

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Cilic - 77/38 Nadal - 67/32

TOTAL POINTS Cilic - 157 Nadal - 145