Rafael Nadal, Watch Rafael Nadal vs Milos Raonic live stream
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - 23/1/17 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his Men's singles fourth round match against France's Gael Monfils. Reuters / Jason Reed

Rafael Nadal, just two wins away from reaching his first Grand Slam final in three years, will have to contend with rising Canadian Milos Raonic during the quarterfinals of the 2017 Australian Open at the Rod Laver arena on Wednesday evening.

Since winning the last of his 14 Grand Slam titles during the 2014 French Open, the Spaniard has regressed due to multiple injuries but is primed for a good 2017 after starting the new year on a positive note. Over the last week or so, the 14-time Grand Slam champion has overcome tough challenges from young German Alex Zverev and French sixth Gael Monfils and has emerged as the odds-on favourite to win the tournament, especially in the wake of upset defeats suffered by top seeds Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Of course, Raonic, who relies on his big-booming serve, won't be a cakewalk for the Spanish great. Prior to the 2017 Australian Open, Raonic defeated Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Brisbane courtesy of 23 aces. Even though Nadal owns a 6-2 head-to-head record, the players have never met at a Grand Slam before. Prior to Wednesday's game, Nadal acknowledged that the threat posed by the young Canadian.

Rafael Nadal vs Milos Raonic: Spaniard wary of Canadian's big service game

"Is (Raonic) tough (challenge). He's an opponent that makes you feel that you're playing with a lot of pressure all the time because his serve is huge and he's playing very aggressive from the baseline. So (it's) going to be a very tough match, but I hope to be ready for it. I need to be very focused with my serve and play aggressive. If I am not playing aggressive, then I am dead, because he plays aggressive," Nadal said ahead of the game, via Sydney Morning Herald.

Meanwhile, Raonic has had an easier route to the final 8, coasting through the first two rounds before finishing off Gilles Simon and Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets apiece. Even though odds makers expect the Spaniard to prevail in five sets (4/6 odds according to The Telegraph), Raonic is determined to dash Nadal's hopes of returning to his first major final in three years. "(In Brisbane), I found that tipping -- that sort of turning point (on how to beat Rafael Nadal) -- that I was looking for in that match. Obviously, it's very within me to find those solutions again, I believe," Raonic said ahead of the game.

If Rafael Nadal can get past Milos Raonic, he will face the winner of the other quarterfinal between David Goffin and Grigor Dimitrov in Friday's semi-finals. The tennis world is clamouring for a dream finals showdown between Nadal and Roger Federer. The living legends haven't squared off in a Grand Slam since the 2014 Australian Open semi-final that the latter won 7-6, 6-3, 6-3. Stay tuned for the latest on the 2017 Australian Open.

Watch Rafael Nadal vs Milos Raonic live stream: How to watch

Time: 08:30 (GMT), 6:30 PM (AEST), 7:30 PM (AEDT), 3:30 AM (ET)
On TV: Channel 7, 7TWO and 7mate (Australia), ESPN 2 (USA)
Live Stream: 7 TENNIS app (Australia), Watch ESPN (USA), Official website (Global)

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