Rafa's secret weapon! The childhood sweetheart who almost NEVER goes on tour whose tender touch and support in the stands has helped tennis star Rafael Nadal reach the Australian Open final
- Rafael Nadal has reached the final of the Australian Open after a thrill five-set victory over Grigor Dimitrov
- He was watched by girlfriend Francisca Perello, who has never traveled to Australia with him before now
- She was visibly nervous throughout the match, clasping her hands to her face before celebrating at the end
- Nadal will take on old foe Roger Federer in the final, with Serena vs Venus Williams in the women's singles
Rafael Nadal's secret weapon paid off dividends as his girlfriend, Francisca Perello, watched him battle his way into the Australian Open final.
The 28-year-old, who has never visited Australia despite being with Nadal for 10 years, shared in the anguish and joy of his fans as he fought through a thrilling five-set match against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Friday night.
Tennis fans will now have the delight of watching Nadal face off against old rival Roger Federer on Sunday night in Melbourne, the first time they have played in a final since the French Open in 2011, which the Spaniard won.
Francisca Perello, 28, better known as Xisca, shared in the emotional ups and downs of boyfriend Rafael Nadal's semi final against Grigor Dimitrov on Friday night in Melbourne
Despite dating the former World Number One for tens years, she has never traveled with him to Australia before, and typically shuns the media spotlight - until now
The Spanish beauty, who is an insurance broker by trade, certainly seemed to inspire Nadal on the court, as he dug deep to beat Dimitrov in five sets and set up a final with Roger Federer
Nadal was forced to go the full distance against Dimitrov, who repeatedly took him to deuce in the final set, including on match point, but the Spaniard ultimately prevailed
Francisca, who more commonly goes by Xisca, has shunned the spotlight that comes from dating a world-famous sports star for years - rarely giving interviews, skipping press appearances and seldom appearing at matches.
In one rare sit-down with British newspaper The Telegraph back in 2011, she explained 'the idea of me hanging around and waiting on his needs all day tires me out'.
She added she had no desire for a 'celebrity' lifestyle and Rafa would not have been interested in her if that was her goal in life.
While her looks are often compared to a model's, she is in fact an insurance broker by trade, though she also helps support her partner by working as the projects manager for his foundation.
While Perello's looks have often been compared to those of a model, she is actually an insurance broker by trade, and serves as projects director for Nadal's sporting foundation
Speaking after the game, Nadal said it would be a 'privilege' to play Federer in a Grand Slam final once again, and thanked all of his supporters, though he didn't mention Perello by name
Nadal's emotions were plain after the match, as he collapsed on the ground following match point
Perello was all smiles at the end of the game as she celebrated with Rafa's team in the player's box beside centre court
Earlier in the day the pair were spotted sharing an intimate kiss outside Nadal's hotel before she went to explore Melbourne
The pair have been dating for ten years (pictured left in 2006), but Perello has always shunned the media spotlight, saying it would 'asphyxiate' her, and give her boyfriend more things to worry about (pictured right in Melbourne this week)
That all seemed to change this tournament, however, as she has been court-side for all his major games, and the pair have also been pictured sharing intimate moments away from the sporting action.
Earlier on Friday they were seen sharing a tender kiss outside his hotel as she went to tour the city, while he headed off for a practice session ahead of tonight's match.
Perello was back for the match though, sitting just behind Rafa's coach in his box, cheering him along.
Her presence certainly seemed to inspire him in the first set, as he took it comfortably 6-3.
That was no indication of things to come, however, as the Bulgarian struck back in the second, eventually taking the set 7-5.
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.
Nadal came back in the third, taking it to a tie-break before edging his opponent out 7-5 and regaining the advantage.
Dimitrov was not going anywhere, however, and kept pegging Nadal back in the fourth, eventually taking it to a tie-break which he won this time, 7-4.
The Bulgarian looked to be edging Nadal out at the start of the fifth, forcing him to lengthy deuce battles on his serve, which meant the Spaniard had to dig deep.
This was a close-fought contest, with Nadal taking the first set 6-3, though losing out in the second 7-5. The following two were decided by tie-breaks, and the fifth looked to be heading the same way until Rafa broke late on
Dimitrov looked to be getting the better of his opponent as the game went on, forcing him repeatedly into deuce points on his serve, but ultimately lacked the quality to finish
Nadal's path to the final was by no means smooth, and every time he looked to be getting the upper hand, Dimitrov hit back
Nadal will now play Federer in the final, a magical throwback for tennis fans who will always remember that Wimbledon final (pictured together at Wimbledon in 2006)
Up in the box, behind the steely glare of Nadal's coach, the tension was written plain across Perello's face as she held her hands over her mouth.
But late in the set Nadal broke Dimitrov to make it 5-4, and only had to hold serve to set up a dream Federer final.
Even then, there were no easy points, as he was again brought to deuce before finally scooping victory after four hours and 53 minutes.
Speaking afterward, Nadal said: 'It is difficult to describe my emotions. It was a great match. I feel very happy to be a part of it and enjoyed it a lot.
'When you have so many difficult moments, and last year was difficult for me, it makes me very happy to come back to the level that I had.
'I never dreamed to be back in a final, the Australian Open, the second tournament of the year. Here I am now, so I feel lucky and very, very happy.'
Asked about facing his old foe in the final, he quipped: 'First, I hope to recover well. For me it is a privilege, it is very, very special - for both of us to have another chance to compete against each other after years of problems.'
Tourist for the day: Xisca seemed to be heading off for a look around Melbourne as she left the hotel
Finally! This is the first time that Xisca has attended the Australian Open with Rafa, who won the tournament in 2009
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... While she supported him throughout his games, Perello took a break from Nadal's side on Friday morning to tour around Melbourne
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
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