ALLAN THE MAN

Rafael Nadal set up another meeting with great rival Roger Federer by winning his third-round match against Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Thursday.

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In addition to capturing his 50th match victory of the season, Nadal improved to 12-0 on hardcourts, having already won Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Montreal this year.

The fourth seed was in control early on, going up a set and a break in the second when the top-raked Bulgarian double faulted to lose his serve at 3-3. But Dimitrov broke right back with a forehand passing shot winner, and then secured another break at 5-6 to draw level at a set all. Nadal took quick advantage in the third, however, going up 2-0 and extending his lead to 5-2 before serving out the two-hour match.

"I played a good level in the first set. Then his serve was working well in the beginning of the second. I was having trouble, so just wait for my moment," said Nadal. "I started the third set trying to go another time inside the court and trying to have the control of the point from there, and I think I played a good third set in general."

The win sets up the latest encounter in his legendary rivalry with Federer. "We played so many times for very important things. That makes every match very special," said Nadal in a courtside interview after the match. "The combination of styles makes the matches very interesting. 

"I hope to be ready for that."

It will be their 31st meeting and third this year. Nadal leads the FedEx ATP Head2Head record 20-10, including wins at both Indian Wells and Rome earlier this season.

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