Rafa's good luck charm! Rafael Nadal's rarely-seen girlfriend Xisca Perello joins him for the first time at Australian Open and gives him some VERY close support... as he battles to reach the final

  • Rafael Nadal is facing Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the Australian Open semi
  • The match is currently tied at one set a piece after Nadal one the first  6-3
  • Dimitrov fought back to win a dramatic second set 7-5
  • The winner will face tennis legend Roger Federer in the final on Sunday
  • Nadal received a kiss from girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello earlier Friday

By Cameron Phelps and Greg Styles For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:10 EST, 27 January 2017 | Updated: 07:00 EST, 27 January 2017

A good luck kiss before the Australian Open semi final seems to have spurred tennis ace Rafael Nadal on, with the Spaniard cruising to take the first set.

Nadal survived some early pressure from Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov before breaking the man dubbed 'Baby Fed' in the fourth, winning the set 6-3.

But the Bulgarian struck back in the second, eventually taking the set 7-5.

Doubles: When Rafael Nadal hasn't been demolishing some of the world's best tennis players on his run to the Australian Open semi-finals, he's been enjoying the company of his number one fan

It was tough work for the 25-year-old who squandered five set points, once on serve and four others that Nadal managed to hold serve. 

Earlier, 30-year-old Nadal was seen enjoying the company of his number one fan.

The Spaniard's long-term girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, known as Xisca, has been in the stands at all his matches and the pair were pictured sharing a loving embrace outside a Melbourne hotel earlier this month. 

Rafa was walking with his partner to the entrance of their Melbourne hotel before bidding her farewell as she embarked on a journey into the city.

The notoriously private couple cuddled affectionately before the tennis ace planted a kiss on Xisca's cheek. 

The sports star, casually dressed in his sponsors' Nike gear, then headed back into the hotel as the pair went their separate ways. 

Nadal survived some early pressure from Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov before breaking the man dubbed 'Baby Fed' in the fourth game and eventually took the set 6-3

But  Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov  (above) struck back in the second, eventually winning the set 7-5.

The winner of the semi final will face former world number one Roger Federer in Sunday's Australian Open Final (pictured Rafael Nadal)

The long goodbye: The Spaniard's long-term girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, known as Xisca, has been in the stands at all his matches and the pair were pictured sharing a loving embrace earlier this month

Xisca watching nervously court side as her beau Rafael Nadal attempts to win through to the Australian Open final 

Tourist for the day: Xisca seemed to be heading off for a look around Melbourne as she left the hotel 

This is the first time Rafa has brought his girlfriend of ten years along to the Australian Open, a tournament he won in 2009.

And it appears the 28-year-old, who works for the Rafael Nadal Foundation, has been the 14-time Grand Slam champion's lucky charm. 

Rafa swept aside world number three Milos Raonic on his way to earning a semi-final tie against Grigor Dimitrov as he bids to break a three-year Grand Slam drought. 

Finally! This is the first Australian Open that Rafa, who won the tournament in 2009, has brought his girlfriend of ten years along to

Need directions? Rafa swept aside world number three Milos Raonic on his way to earning a semi-final tie against Grigor Dimitrov as he bids to break a three-year Grand Slam drought

Behind every great man... If he makes the final, the Spaniard will play old nemesis Roger Federer for the chance to win his first major title since the US Open in 2014

Working holiday: After his quarter-final victory against Raonic, Rafa was asked if he and his girlfriend had been enjoying their time in Australia - including at a tournament in Brisbane

If he makes the final, the Spaniard will play old nemesis Roger Federer for the chance to win his first major title since the US Open in 2014. 

After his quarter-final victory against Raonic, Rafa was asked if he and his girlfriend had been enjoying their time in Australia - including at a tournament in Brisbane. 

He said: 'Yes it was great. The negative thing is that I lost in the quarter-finals in Brisbane, but the good thing is that I had the chance to visit Sydney and I hadn’t been there before. 

'I was [sic] knowing a little bit of Sydney and we enjoyed it. And now finally after 10 years my girlfriend gets a wildcard to come here.' 

Comments (0)

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now