Dimitrov hammers Goffin to reach ATP semis

Dimitrov demonstrated his full range of shot making to beat his Belgian opponent 6-0, 6-2, hitting 18 winners to seal his last four spot with a match still to play.

With Rafael Nadal withdrawing through injury, the tournament has opened up somewhat, though Roger Federer has also eased in to the semifinals.

Once thought of as Federer's natural successor, in terms of style at least, Dimitrov said this was one of his best performances.

 "You get a few days out of the year that whatever you touch turns to gold and that was the first set," Dimitrov said.

"You work for those days, it's nice when it comes in such an occasion. It's a special win for me. My goal was to reach the weekend. I'm not here just to participate."

Replacement falls in three

Pablo Carreno Busta, who replaced fellow Spaniard Nadal, couldn't get past Austria's Dominic Thiem despite a spirited showing.

Thiem won 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to set up a final match showdown with Goffin for the second semifinal spot in the Pete Sampras group.

The result also means that Dimitrov's match against Carreno Busta will be a dead rubber.

mp (AP, Reuters)