Having run through the second set, third seed Dimitrov fell to 2-5 in the decider against Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, before a thrilling finale and a 6-7(5), 6-0, 7-5 win over two hours and 45 minutes. Van de Zandschulp served for the match at 5-3, 40/15 in the third set, and later got broken at 5-5 in a 24-point game.

Dimitrov, who is seeking the ninth ATP Tour trophy of his career, now challenges American qualifier Maxime Cressy for the first time.

World No. 112 Cressy booked a place in his first ATP Tour semi-final by striking 10 aces to knock out Jaume Munar of Spain 7-6(3), 6-4 in two hours and 25 minutes. Cressy saved two matches points in the third-set tie-break of his Melbourne second-round win over fellow American and second seed Reilly Opelka on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori set up a clash against top-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal, following a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Alex Molcan of Slovakia in 68 minutes.