Also plagued by stomach problems, Rafael Nadal did not let the conqueror of Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev stop him and came a step closer to the Grand Slam record.

In a five-set tennis match, the Spaniard fought Denis Shapovalov to victory and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the seventh time.

With 6: 3, 6: 4, 4: 6, 3: 6, 6: 3, Nadal decided the generational duel in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The tension that this match should get was not foreseeable for a long time.

After a 2-0 lead, the 35-year-old Nadal had physical problems and in the end it was also thanks to the mistakes of Canadian Shapovalov (22) that he progressed.

"I think I was lucky that I served well in the fifth," Nadal said in the winner's interview on the pitch.

He started to feel a bit tired, he explained and reported his stomach problems: "I hope and I really believe that I will be ready for the semifinals."

13 years after his only Melbourne triumph so far, Nadal is only two wins away from the next trophy.

In the semifinals on Friday, the fifth in the world rankings will face Italian Wimbledon finalists Matteo Berrettini or Gael Monfils.

Should he actually triumph on Sunday, he would secure the sole record with his 21st title at a Grand Slam tournament.

The fact that Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic and his Swiss rival Roger Federer are not present for very different reasons has opened the door wide for him.

Madison Keys in the semifinals

The question of his physical condition was a topic of discussion before the start of the tournament.

Nevertheless, Nadal had largely marched safely through the early rounds.

The Spaniard had been sidelined for months with a foot injury at the end of last season.

This time the problems had nothing to do with it.

Against the Wimbledon semi-finalist, Nadal did much better than Zverev for a long time.

Due to Nadal's presence and consistency, this two-set duel with 22-year-old Shapovalov looked like one of those days when there is little for the challenger to do.

The Canadian world number fourteenth complained that the Spaniard was taking too much time between rallies.

"You're all corrupt," he scolded referee Carlos Bernardes at the beginning of the second set, when he didn't think Nadal was ready for the return in time.

Shapovalov later apologized for his statement.

"I think I worded it wrong when I said he was corrupt," Shapovalov said. "It was definitely emotional, but I stand by my opinion.

I think it's unfair how much Rafa gets away with." He also criticized Nadal's toilet break before the crucial fifth set.

"It's just so frustrating.

You feel like you're not only playing against your opponent, but also against the referees," he said.

When asked if Grand Slam record winner Nadal was given preferential treatment by referees, Shapovalov replied: "Yes, of course.

100 percent.” Nadal saw it completely differently.

"I never felt like I was privileged on the court.

I think Denis is wrong in this case," said the 35-year-old: "But I think he'll understand a little later that you need a little more time when you change your clothes."