Grigor Dimitrov sets up Italian Open semi-final meeting with Novak Djokovic

Johannesburg: Bulgarian player Grigor Dimitrov will face world No.1 Rafael Nadal in the semi-final of the Italian Open after his German opponent, 15th-seeded Tommy Haas retired on Friday with a probable injury after losing the first set in their quarter-final clash

Haas, who appeared to be suffering from injury, lasted just 35 minutes before informing officials he could no longer carry on and shaking Dimitrov's hand before leaving the Central Court at the Foro Italico.

According to Sport24, the 12th-seeded Dimitrov will join Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic, who moved into the semis with a commanding 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 quarter-final win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Friday, in the semi-finals.

Raonic, considered an outside bet for the French Open later this month, will now meet second seed Novak Djokovic, who beat Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, the report added.