Rafael Nadal is one win away from cementing his ultimate comeback…

The 30-year-old Spanish tennis star defeated Grigor Dimitrov in a thrilling five-set semifinal at the Australian Open, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4, to reach his first Grand Slam final in nearly three years.

Nadal had to draw on all his experience in countless big moments to prevail in his match against Dimitrov.

Nadal firstly held serve with some clutch play, broke Dimitrov with more of the same, then still needed three match points to put away his inspired rival.

Nadal dropped to the court — in equal parts elation and exhaustion — before embracing his beaten foe in one of the great moments of an already memorable event.

“(It is) difficult to describe emotions now. First of all I was tired and Grigor was playing unbelievable. It was a great match. I feel very happy now to be part of it. I enjoy it a lot,” Nadal said.

“The crowd was just amazing … just unforgettable weeks for me and just, you know, to qualify for the final in a match like this means a lot to me.

“I never dreamed to be back in a final of the Australian Open in the second tournament of the year after a lot of months without competing. But here I am now. I feel lucky. I feel very happy.”

Rafael Nadal next faces his longtime nemesis Roger Federer in the final.

Federer and Nadal, the two titans of a magnificent era, will lock racquets in Sunday night’s Australian Open decider — their 35th clash overall, 12th in a grand slam and ninth in a grand slam final. Nadal has won six of the previous eight finals meetings. They have not met for a major championship since the 2011 French Open, when Nadal won his sixth of nine titles at Roland Garros.

“It’s a privilege and very special thing, I think, for both of us to be in the final again and have another chance to compete against each other after a couple of years having some problems,” Nadal said.

“It (is) a moment that I think both of us never thought we would be here again in the final of Australia. We feel, I think, very happy and I hope you feel happy too.”