(BBC) Rafael Nadal set up a much-anticipated Australian Open final against old rival Roger Federer with an epic, five-set semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov.

Rafa won 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 in almost five hours to reach a first Grand Slam final since 2014.

Rafa, who is bidding for a 15th major title, will face Swiss rival Roger Federer in Melbourne on Sunday.

After the match, Rafa said:

It’s difficult to describe the emotions. First of all, I was tired. Grigor was playing unbelievable. It was a great match. I feel very happy to be a part of it. I enjoy it. The crowd was just amazing. Many, many thanks for that huge support. To qualify for the final like this means a lot to me.

When you work hard, when you have some tough moments… last year was tough for me. It takes a while to come back to the level that you had when you were playing well. Roland Garros was a tough moment. I worked a lot during this month and a half at home. I never dreamed to be back in the final of the Australian Open. … but, here I am.

On the dream final against Federer: For me, it’s a privilege. It’s a special thing for both of us to be in a major final again. After a couple of years having problems. I have been with Roger… We feel lucky. (via Australian Open)

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes a snack during a break in his semifinal against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning the third set against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Former Spanish tennis player Carlos Moya (bottom) and Xisca Perello (top), the girlfriend of Spain’s Rafael Nadal, cheer as they watch him play against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov during their men’s singles semi-final match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2017. / AFP / Greg Wood

Rafael Nadal of Spain fixes his head band in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Xisca Perello watches the semi final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain talks to the umpire while changing shirts between games in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his shirt between games in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – early 28/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal falls onto the court as he celebrates winning his Men’s singles semi-final match against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov. REUTERS/Jason Reed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov -during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – early 28/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal falls onto the court as he celebrates winning his Men’s singles semi-final match against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov. REUTERS/Jason Reed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – early 28/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal consoles Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov after winning his Men’s singles semi-final match. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) speaks with Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov after Nadal’s victory in their men’s singles semi-final match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Greg Wood / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: AFP)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal,right, is embraced by Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov after winning their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Xisca Perello watches the semi final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after winning match point in his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day 12 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 26, 2017 – Source: Pat Scala/Getty Images AsiaPac)