US Open - Djokovic, Nadal aiming for US Open showdown

US Open - Djokovic, Nadal aiming for US Open showdown

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal can set up a delectable US Open final between the top two players in the world with 2013 Grand Slam bragging rights at stake by posting victories in Saturday's semi-finals.

 

Australian Open champion Djokovic and French Open winner Nadal have designs on adding a second Grand Slam to their honours this year but first must get past familiar foes in Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and France's Richard Gasquet, respectively.

Top-seeded Djokovic, who advanced to his 14th successive Grand Slam semi-final with a four-set victory over Mikhail Youzhny, and Nadal, a straight-sets winner over fellow-Spaniard Tommy Robredo, have both lost only one set in the tournament.

The darkhorse challengers, however, are at the top of their games, both wielding lethal one-handed backhands as a key part of their arsenal.

Nadal said there was no danger of him looking past longtime friend Gasquet and at a possible marquee clash with Djokovic.

"I hope to be ready to play a good match against Richard. If not, I will not have the chance to play the final," the second-seeded Spaniard said.

"If I don't play great match against Richard, I will see the final on TV. I am focused only to play great match in semi-finals against Richard."

The eighth-seeded Gasquet went five sets to beat big-serving Milos Raonic of Canada in the fourth round, and went the distance again to eliminate fourth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarters.

Wawrinka caused an even bigger splash as he improved his 2013 record to 41-15 by ousting Wimbledon winner and defending US Open champion Andy Murray of Britain in three breezy sets in his quarter-finals tilt.

The Swiss said he was most proud of how he dealt with the pressure of playing against Murray, since in the past he has often been plagued by nerves.

"My level of tennis right now is quite good. I'm really confident with myself, with my game," said 28-year-old Wawrinka, whose victory over third seed Murray lifted him to his first Grand Slam semi-final.

Djokovic knows first-hand how dangerous Wawrinka can be, having gone through a titanic five-set struggle against him in the fourth round at the Australian Open that he clinched 12-10 in the final set of a superb contest.

"It's definitely one of the most exciting matches I have played in my life on this surface, that was played on a very, very high level," the Serb said about that hard court encounter in Melbourne on his way to winning a third straight Australian crown.

"In the past we all knew that he has the quality to play that well, but not in a consistent basis.

"He's a very complete player. He can play equally well on any surface. He had one of the best seasons in his life."

Wawrinka said the contest against Djokovic was a turning point for him.

"It's one of the keys of the season, for sure," the Swiss said. "That was a really tough moment, but at the end, I was really positive with that match because all Australian Open my level was quite good and was better than ever."

Djokovic said he was bracing for Wawrinka's best after his impressive performance against Murray.

"That was quite impressive," he said. "I'm sure he's very confident and he has nothing to lose now. He's going to go for the win."

Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 12-2, with wins in their last 11 meetings.

Nadal is a perfect 10-0 against Gasquet, who he has competed against since their junior days.

The Spaniard said he had great respect for his opponent and was pleased to see him make it to the last four at Flushing Meadows.

"He's a nice guy, very nice person, one of the players on the tour that I feel closer (to) because we are from the same age. We always had a good feeling," said Nadal.

"So it's great, no? When you see a player like Richard that we grow up in similar ways and we played when we were kids. We have the chance to be in the semi-finals of the US Open, so is great."

Even Djokovic felt good about Gasquet's advance to his second Grand Slam semi-final following his maiden journey six years ago at Wimbledon.

"Richard was always one of the most talented players that played the game with one of the most beautiful and also most efficient backhands that we have seen," said Djokovic.

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US Open - China's Li laments stage fright in semi-final loss

US Open - China's Li laments stage fright in semi-final loss

A disappointed Li Na admitted to an attack of stage fright in her humbling US Open semi-final loss to Serena Williams and said she would have lost to any opponent she faced on Friday.

 

The first Chinese to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows, a shell-shocked Li crumbled to a 6-0 6-3 loss in 87 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium's centre court.

The 31-year-old has long been accustomed to the glare of the Grand Slam spotlight, winning a French Open two years ago and reaching her second Australian Open final this year, but was already overwhelmed by the occasion before hitting a ball.

"It's not about the technique," Li said. "It's about the problem with myself.

"First time in the semis, I was thinking about the situation. Today, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. The problem is myself."

Asia's first Grand Slam singles winner, Li lost the first set in 29 minutes and despite taking an early break in the second set, slumped to 5-2 and the brink of defeat.

Only then did she produce her best and most aggressive tennis, saving six match points and forcing the defending champion Williams to serve out the match.

A sometimes reluctant standard-bearer for Chinese tennis, the world number six has blown hot and cold throughout her career, her seven WTA singles titles often bookended by wretched form slumps when her confidence deserts her.

"Even if today I was playing against (a player with) the ranking of 100, (there would) still (be) the same problem," she said.

"When I walked to the court, I was feeling like the court was so big. My side was feeling like a football court.

"I cannot focus. In the end, finally I can play tennis."

Williams will face Belarusian second seed Victoria Azarenka in Sunday's final, a mouthwatering re-match of last year's title-decider.

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US Open - Path to men's semi-finals

US Open - Path to men's semi-finals

The paths to the US Open men's semi-finals to be played on Saturday at the US National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

 

 

(Prefix denotes seeding, q-qualifier, wc-wild card)

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia), world number one

First round - Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania) 6-1 6-2 6-2

Second round - Benjamin Becker (Germany) 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2

Third round - Joao Sousa (Portugal) 6-0 6-2 6-2

Fourth round - Marcel Granollers (Spain) 6-3 6-0 6-0

Quarter-finals - 21-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-0

Time on court: eight hours, 46 minutes

v

9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland), world number 10

First round - Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 7-6(2) 6-3 6-2

Second round - q-Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) 7-5 7-6(8) 6-4

Third round - Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) 6-3 6-2 6-7(1) 7-6(7)

Fourth round - 5-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 3-6 6-1 7-6(6) 6-2

Quarter-finals - 3-Andy Murray (Britain) 6-4 6-3 6-2

Time on court: 13 hours, 12 minutes

--

2-Rafa Nadal (Spain), world number two

First round - wc-Ryan Harrison (U.S.) 6-4 6-2 6-2

Second round - q-Rogerio Dutra Silva (Brazil) 6-2 6-1 6-0

Third round - Ivan Dodig (Croatia) 6-4 6-3 6-3

Fourth round - 22-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 6-1

Quarter-finals - 19-Tommy Robredo (Spain) 6-0 6-2 6-2

Time on court: 10 hours, 38 minutes

v

8-Richard Gasquet (France), world number nine

First round - Michael Russell (U.S.) 6-3 6-4 6-2

Second round - q-Stephane Robert (France) 6-3 7-5 7-5

Third round - 32-Dmitry Tursunov (Russia) 6-3 2-6 6-4 4-2 ret.

Fourth round - 10-Milos Raonic (Canada) 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(9) 7-5

Quarter-finals - 4-David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3

Time on court: 14 hours, 47 minutes

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US Open - Day 13 order of play

US Open - Day 13 order of play

Order of play for day 13 of the US Open, with semi-finals between Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka, and Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet.

 

Arthur Ashe Stadium

12:00pm (17:00 UK time)

Men's singles semi-finals

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v 9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland)

Not before 2:50pm (19:50 UK time)

8-Richard Gasquet (France) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)

Not before 3:30pm (20:30 UK time)

Women's doubles final

5-Andrea Hlavackova (Czech Republic) and Luci Hradecka (Czech Republic) v 8-Ashleigh Barty (Australia) and Casey Dellacqua (Australia)

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US Open - Pennetta bows out after exceeding expectations

US Open - Pennetta bows out after exceeding expectations

Flavia Pennetta's dream of a first Grand Slam final was crushed by Victoria Azarenka's straight sets semi-final win but the Italian left the US Open still proud of her unexpected run to the last four.

 

Three times previously Pennetta has been beaten at the quarter-final stage at Flushing Meadows and few had anticipated doing better just a year after a serious wrist injury.

"It wouldn't be right to leave here feeling regrets. It has been a great tournament for me," the Italian said after her 6-4 6-2 loss.

"Sure, there is a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth about losing but this has been a super and positive week.

"I played the number two in the world and I had my chances," added the 31-year-old from Puglia.

Having returned from injury slowly, with some poor results in the first half of the year, Pennetta showed throughout the tournament a wide range of shots and an ability to mix them up.

But while her best ever performance in a Grand Slam comes just 12 months after missing the US Open while she sat at home recovering from wrist surgery, Pennetta rejected the notion that she was enjoying a second career.

"I don't think so. There are ups and downs in every career and each game only lasts for one day and you have to move on to the next one," she said.

"I really didn't expect to arrive at this level this year to be honest."

In the past Pennetta has had a tendency to be over-adventurous but she said against Azarenka she had reined in her attacking instincts.

"To beat these kind of players you have to play very aggressively, you have to try to find more winners and in that case you're going to miss more also.

"But actually today I think I didn't do it too much. I didn't go for a big, big winners all the time.

"She's stronger than me and in the end she was winning more points than me."

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US Open - Azarenka relishes chance to face Serena

US Open - Azarenka relishes chance to face Serena

A confident Victoria Azarenka will get a chance to avenge last year's US Open final defeat to Serena Williams after the pair came through their semi-finals to set up a re-match.

 

Second-seed Azarenka beat Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-2 and will now face an opponent she has beaten just three times in 15 meetings.

Two of those wins have come this year, on hard courts in Doha and Cincinnati, but Azarenka isn't reading too much into those results.

"It's not that I don't care what happened in the past, but I don't think there is a need to pay so much attention to what happened," said the Belarusian. "It's always a new story.

"I don't even think that it's going to be close to the same as it was last year.

"We know each other pretty well. I know her strengths; she knows my strengths."

Last year's final went to three sets with Williams edging the final set 7-5 but Azarenka believes her game has improved in the past 12 months.

"It hasn't changed tremendously but there are aspects that got better physically," said Azarenka, who will be trying to add the US Open crown to her two Australian Open grand slam titles. "Mentally I felt like (this year) was a great turning point for me on some level for my career.

"I feel like I'm a better player. I'm a more complete player."

Azarenka didn't sparkle against Pennetta, grinding out a win in a match which saw her serve broken five times and she conceded that she struggled to find momentum.

"There are always things that can be better. I felt like the first set was a little bit tricky - the momentum wasn't there," she said.

"Just being able to pick up and raise the level in the important moments, that's what it's all about, to be able to do that."

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US Open - Williams sets up Azarenka re-match in New York

US Open - Williams sets up Azarenka re-match in New York

Defending champion Serena Williams slugged her way to a US Open title rematch against Victoria Azarenka with a 6-0 6-3 victory over Li Na in the semi-finals.

 

World number one Williams thrashed a rattled Li, overcoming some staunch resistance at the end, while Azarenka returned to the Flushing Meadows final with a 6-4 6-2 win over unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta.

"Just to be able to defend a title for once would be really awesome," said French Open winner Williams, who will get her chance on Sunday after failing to go back-to-back following her 1999, 2002 and 2008 titles in New York.

Although overpowered in the opening set, Li battled valiantly in the second, saving six match points to hold serve before the top seed finally closed the deal on a seventh with an unreturned serve.

"It was a good match. It was tough at the end," Williams said. "I got a little nervous but I was able to close it out."

Former French Open champion Li, China's first semi-finalist at the US Open, admitted that she experienced a bout of nerves when she hit the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

"I should not be, like, nervous because (it was) not (the) first time to play semis," said Li, twice an Australian Open finalist. "But when I walked to the court I was feeling the court (was) so big. I mean, even my side, it was feeling like a football court.

"In the end, finally, I can play tennis," she added with a smile.

Williams, hot off a 6-0 6-0 quarter-final win against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, had won 24 consecutive games before Li held serve in the second game of the second set.

"To hear constantly, 'go Serena, go Serena,' it is really a pleasure. I hear young voices and older voices and it really makes me feel so special," said Williams.

Williams and Azarenka's final will be the first back-to-back title clash at the US Open since Serena and her older sister Venus battled for the crown in 2002.

Belarusian Azarenka trails 12-3 head-to-head against Williams, but has won two of their last three matches, hardcourt finals in Doha and Cincinnati.

"When you play against Serena, you have to play your best," said Azarenka. "She makes me play my best."

Williams is bidding for a fifth US Open title and her 17th in Grand Slams.

At 31, she would become the oldest women's winner at Flushing Meadows since tennis turned professional in 1968, supplanting Australia's Margaret Court who won in 1973.

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US Open - Gasquet blunts Raonic serve to reach quarters

US Open - Gasquet blunts Raonic serve to reach quarters

Frenchman Richard Gasquet survived a barrage of heavy shots from Canada's Milos Raonic before booking a spot in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

 

Raonic thumped 39 aces past Gasquet but the eighth-seed waited patiently before seizing his opportunities, winning 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(9) 7-5 after an exhausting slugfest that lasted four hours and 40 minutes.

Raonic also hit a staggering total of 102 winners but paid the price for coughing up unforced errors, more than twice as many as Gasquet.
The 27-year-old Frenchman has been a consistent performer on the professional circuit since 2002 but this was just the second time he made it to a grand slam quarter-final.
The only other occasion was when he made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2007.
His opponent in the next round is Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer, who advanced after a hard-fought 7-6(2) 3-6 7-5 7-6(3) win over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic.
For Raonic, a 22-year-old moving quickly up the rankings, it was a bitter loss as he was on the verge of becoming the first Canadian man to reach the singles quarter-finals of a grand slam since Mike Belkin at the Australian Open in 1968.
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US Open - Robredo sensed an upset against doubtful Federer

US Open - Robredo sensed an upset against doubtful Federer

Tommy Robredo suspected he could stun Roger Federer at the US Open because the Swiss master had developed self-doubts, the Spaniard said after the extraordinary upset on Monday.

 

World number 22 Robredo routed Federer 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the 17-times grand slam champion failing to convert 14 of 16 break points in his first loss to the Spaniard after 10 successive wins.

"You never know what's going to happen," the gritty 31-year-old Robredo told reporters.
"But obviously Roger when he was number one to the Roger right now, he's not maybe with the same confidence.
"Obviously he's the same player and he plays unbelievable. But I knew if right now I had a little bit more chances, maybe he will have a little bit of doubt."
Robredo, who has played his best grand slam tennis on the clay courts at Roland Garros, agreed with Federer's evaluation that he had "self-destructed."
"I always play the same," Robredo said. "So yes, I'm really with him. I think the difference was the break points conversion.
"It's amazing ... For me, Roger for the moment is the best player of all time. And to beat him in the huge stadium like the U.S. Open and in a grand slam, a match of five sets, it's like a dream. I am so happy."
A capacity crowd filled Louis Armstrong Stadium in the expectation that Federer would reach the quarter-finals against great rival Rafa Nadal.
But Robredo dominated the first set tiebreak to subdue the spectators who were never to find full voice thereafter as Federer cracked under pressure.
"I wasn't thinking i was going to win," Robredo said.
"I was just going onto the court trying to give my best, and we will see.
"The ball from Roger, it comes like fire. All the time, it's so fast."
Ranked fifth in the world in 2006, Robredo's triumph booked his first quarter-final appearance at Flushing Meadows and marks the crowning moment in a long recovery from a serious hamstring that sent his ranking plummeting to 471 last year.
"I was trying to come back," he said. "I wasn't sure if my leg would be perfect or not. You have your doubts if you're body's going to respond. And ... if you're going to get the confidence back.
"I don't know next week which ranking I'm going to be, but for sure it will be top 20 ... It's an amazing year for me."
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US Open - Nadal safely through after brief scare

US Open - Nadal safely through after brief scare

Spain's Rafael Nadal lost a set for the first time at this year's U.S. Open on Monday but recovered quickly to safely book his place in the quarter-finals, albeit against an unexpected opponent.

 

Nadal gave his supporters at Flushing Meadows a brief heart flutter when he lost the opening set to Philipp Kohlschreiber but rebounded to beat the German 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 6-1.

The 2010 U.S. Open champion, Nadal's next match is against his countryman Tommy Robredo, who pulled off a shock straight-sets win over Roger Federer that ended the prospect of a first U.S. Open showdown between the two greatest players of their generation.
Nadal was in great form in the lead-up to the last major of the year, winning Masters titles in Montreal and Cincinnati, and has continued his red-hot streak at Flushing Meadows.
After struggling with knee problems for years, the world number two has made some slight alterations to his game to help him cope with the demanding hardcourts in North America.
The lefthander has taken some of the speed off his serve to focus more on his accuracy. Against Kohlschreiber, Nadal hit just three aces, but faced only one break point on his serve, which he successfully fought off.
"It was very, very tough conditions," Nadal said courtside.
"Very humid, I sweat too much. The opponent was great and I am lucky to go through.
"Physically it was a very tough match but with my serve, I felt comfortable."
Nadal said Robredo would be in a dangerous mood after beating Federer 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4.
"To beat Roger at the U.S. Open is amazing for him," Nadal said. "He will be confident and I hope to be ready for that."
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US Open - Ferrer beats Tipsarevic to reach quarters

US Open - Ferrer beats Tipsarevic to reach quarters

David Ferrer battled his way into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open on Monday with a hard-fought 7-6(2) 3-6 7-5 7-6(3) win over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic.

 

Ferrer, seeded fourth, retained his composure after dropping the second set to win a gruelling slugfest that took nearly four hours to complete after being moved to one of the smaller showcourts because of a lengthy rain delay.

The tenacious Ferrer became the second Spaniard to reach the men's quarter-finals on Monday, joining Tommy Robredo who had upset former world number one Roger Federer.
Another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, was also playing Monday, in the night session.
Ferrer's next opponent will be either French eighth seed Richard Gasquet or Canada's Milos Raonic.
Although Ferrer has not won a grand slam, the 31-year-old baseliner has proven himself to be one of the most consistent players on tour.
He has reached the quarter-finals or better at each of the last eight majors and was a finalist at the French Open in June.
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US Open - Hantuchova's love of game keeps her going

US Open - Hantuchova's love of game keeps her going

The first time Daniela Hantuchova reached the US Open quarter-finals she was a teenager. The second time she is 30.

 

The unseeded Slovak defeated American wildcard Alison Riske 6-3 5-7 6-2 on Monday to end an extended absence from the last eight at Flushing Meadows since her loss to Serena Williams in 2002 as a 19-year-old.

In a commendable if not spectacular career, Hantuchova has since reached the world number five ranking, won the Fed Cup, secured the career grand slam in mixed doubles and made the semi-finals of the 2008 Australian Open. And now, having fallen to number 48 in the world, Hantuchova is back where it all started.
"It means a lot to me because I love New York," she said. "I could live here in one second. I just love the city, it's got so much energy, atmosphere. It's the last grand slam of the year and obviously you always want to finish on a high.
"The tournament is only starting now for me. It just means the world to me to again be in the quarter-finals."
Hantuchova will meet either Belarus' second seeded Victoria Azarenka or 13th-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia for a place in the semi-finals.
She said there was a simple reason why players over 30, including Serena Williams and Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt, were faring well in the men's and women's events at Flushing Meadows.
"Just the love for the game," she said.
"I love doing what I'm doing so much that I wouldn't change it for anything else in the world. That's the reason I'm here.
"I just appreciate everything a lot more. I appreciate being able to be a tennis player, to be healthy, doing what I'm doing. It's a big privilege to be in this position, to be so lucky in my life."
She saw the irony in being regarded as old in tennis but young in day-to-day life.
"We always feel so much older in the tennis world than we do in the normal life," she said. "I'm so happy there's so many girls of my age, and older, still around. I think we keep pushing each other. It's great for our generation.
"We've been through so much, we know exactly what to do. Sometimes we don't do it, but we know what we should be doing."
Hantuchova's claim to fame in the early stages of the US Open was partnering with Martina Hingis in the women's doubles.
They were beaten in the first round by top-seeded Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci.
"It's always great to have someone like that around," Hantuchova said. "She understands the game so much. Once you are a champion, you will always be a champion."
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US Open - Federer falls to Robredo in straight sets

US Open - Federer falls to Robredo in straight sets

A badly out-of-sorts Roger Federer spoke of a crisis of confidence after he "self-destructed" in a stunning fourth-round defeat to unfancied Spaniard Tommy Robredo at the U.S. Open on Monday.

 

The 17-times grand slam champion was eliminated 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4 in less than two-and-a-half hours to end hopes of a blockbuster showdown with great rival Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals.

The Swiss's erratic display included a most un Federer-like 43 unforced errors and left 14 of 16 break points going begging at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
"Confidence takes care of all the things you don't usually think about," Federer told reporters, his stinging defeat reminiscent of his shock second-round exit at Wimbledon two months before.
"Maybe my consistency is just not quite there yet. Maybe on a daily basis, set-by-set or point-by-point basis, maybe that's something that has been difficult for me.
"Maybe that was one of the reasons why I lost today, playing up and down.
"I kind of self-destructed, which is very disappointing."
Another bout of foul weather took Federer away from his favoured center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, relegating the former world number one to the secondary show-court, where he had not appeared since 2006.
Although filled to capacity, Federer gave the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd precious few reasons to roar as he struggled against an opponent he had beaten in all 10 of their previous meetings.
"I kind of feel like I beat myself, without taking any credit away from Tommy," Federer said.
"Clearly he was making sure he was making many balls. It was up to me to make the difference and I couldn't.
"It was a frustrating performance today."
Federer appeared impatient on most of his break point chances, miscuing a stream of groundstrokes to let Robredo off the hook.
It was his earliest exit from the year's last grand slam since a fourth round loss in 2003.
"I think I explained it enough," Federer said.
"It just ended up being a bad combination of many things today. I've definitely got to go back to work and come back stronger.
"Get rid of this loss as quick as I can, forget about it, because that's not how I want to play from here on. I want to play better.
"I know I can. I showed it the last few weeks, that there is that level."
Federer said the much-hyped clash with Nadal was the last thing on his mind when he took to the court and defended his usual laidback appearance as the game slipped from his fingers.
"If I'm playing like this, I'm not going to beat Rafa, or Kohlschreiber for that matter," he said.
"For me, I didn't think of that. I've been too often in this situation. I was fighting with other things in my match today.
"But the story of my life: when I lose, people are shellshocked to see me play this way.
"If I win, it's the best thing. There's no doubt I'm trying hard out there to make it work. Sometimes it just doesn't happen."
Federer was bundled out of Wimbledon by then-116th ranked Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, and his loss to another unheralded, if willing, opponent will place further doubts on his motivation and hopes to rebound in the twilight of his career.
But the Swiss master was having none of it.
"Nothing goes past the hard work," he said.
"I'll make sure I put the work in. I'll believe in it and go after it. In some ways, as a player, you're always excited about that prospect because there's always something to look forward to, even in a big disappointment like the match today."
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US Open - Torrential rain plays havoc with schedule at US Open

US Open - Torrential rain plays havoc with schedule at US Open

Nearly five hours of play was lost to rain at the US Open, forcing tournament organisers to cancel dozens of matches and issue an revised playing schedule.

 

Only one of the eight singles matches scheduled for Monday was completed before thunderstorms arrived just after midday local time. Play did not resume until just before 5 p.m., by which time officials had to change the schedule to cope with the backlog of matches.

A total of 37 matches, mostly doubles and juniors, were postponed until Tuesday. The only main draw singles match that was held over was the highly-anticipated centre court clash between world number two Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic.
Roger Federer's fourth round match against Tommy Robredo was moved from the Arthur Ashe Stadium to Louis Armstrong Stadium, marking the first time he had played on the smaller court since 2006.
Before the rain arrived, Roberta Vinci managed to beat her opponent and the foul weather in the nick of time to charge into the quarter-finals.
Vinci needed just over an hour to defeat fellow Italian Camila Giorgi 6-4 6-2 and reach the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Of course I was lucky," said Vinci after scampering off the courts before the clouds burst.
Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova was closing in on her first quarter-final appearance at the US Open in more than a decade, leading American wildcard Alison Riske 6-3 4-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Romania's Simona Halep, one of the hottest players on tour with four WTA titles since June, was just one point away from levelling her match with Flavia Pennetta at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Halep lost the opening set 6-2 and fell 4-2 behind in the second before reeling off three games in a row and reaching set point on her own serve.
Better known as a doubles player, Vinci made light work of her match with Giorgi, who had come through the qualifiers just to get into the main draw.
Giorgi upset former world number one Caroline Wozniacki to reach the fourth round but was outgunned by the more experienced Vinci, who is ranked number one in the world in doubles and is defending her US Open doubles title she won last year with Sara Errani.
"It wasn't my day," Giorgi said. "I didn't play good."
New York's fickle weather has been a major talking point at the US Open for years with each of the last five men's finals spilling into a third week because of rain delays.
For years, US Tennis Association officials balked at the idea of building a roof because of the enormous cost of covering Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world.
But they have finally relented, announcing two weeks ago that they would commence a massive renovation program, which would include a roof, by 2016 at the earliest.
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US Open - Hantuchova breaks long quarter-finals drought

US Open - Hantuchova breaks long quarter-finals drought

Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova advanced to the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open for the first time in more than a decade when she won her rain-interrupted match with American wildcard Alison Riske on Monday.

 

Hantuchova won 6-3 5-7 6-2 after repelling a fightback from Riske, who upset 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova to reach the fourth round at a grand slam for the first time.

"I guess the best things happen when you don't expect them," said Hantuchova.
"(I was) just fighting like crazy, really leaving everything I've got on the court, really putting my heart into it because it means so much to me.
"I guess, sometimes you keep trying, keep trying, and then you don't know why, but it just comes all together."
Hantuchova was just 19 when she made the last eight at Flushing Meadows in 2002 but had not been back to the quarter-finals since.
The 30-year-old seemed to be cruising to victory against Riske after she raced through the opening set in just 37 minutes then led 4-2 in the second.
But the American, seven years younger, broke back to level the second set at 4-4 when the match was stopped for nearly five hours because of a thunderstorm.
When play resumed, Riske pounced, winning the set and forcing a deciding third, but could not hold off Hantuchova, who saved four points in her third round clash with Julia Glushko to continue.
"She played extremely well at the end of the second set," Hantuchova said.
"I'm just really proud the way I fought back into it in the third, raised my level when I needed to.
"The serve was working really well today. I think that was the main difference."
Riske said the rain break initially helped her because it gave her time to settle her nerves on her first appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium but said she lost her way again in the deciding third set.
"I think I totally lost all focus and missed plenty of balls that I should make with my eyes closed. It was really a mistake on me mentally-wise for doing that," she said.
"I've never been in a moment like this before. She is a seasoned player. She played ball today.
"I did all that I could for this moment and that's all I could do."
Hantuchova is one of just two unseeded players left in the women's singles draw. Her next opponent will be either world number two Victoria Azarenka or former world number one Ana Ivanovic.
Their fourth round match was postponed until Tuesday because of the inclement weather.
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US Open - Day nine order of play

US Open - Day nine order of play

Order of play for day nine of the US Open, with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka on court.

 

 

Arthur Ashe Stadium

11 am (4pm UK)
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [13] vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2]
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [24] vs. Na Li (CHN) [5]
Not before 2:30pm (7:30pm UK)
Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
7 pm (midnight UK)
Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) [18]
Andy Murray (GBR) [3] vs. Denis Istomin (UZB)
Louis Armstrong Stadium
Not before 12:30pm (5:30pm UK)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [21] vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Not before 5pm (10pm UK)
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [9] vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [5]
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US Open - Robredo ends run of British qualifier Evans

US Open - Robredo ends run of British qualifier Evans

The Cinderella run of British qualifier Dan Evans at the US Open came to a shuddering halt on Saturday when he was knocked out in the third round.

 

The 23-year-old fell 7-6 (6) 6-1 4-6 7-5 to Spain's Tommy Robredo after a tense three and a quarter hour battle at Flushing Meadows.

Evans, ranked 179th in the world, had captured the imagination of New York after his unlikely run to the third round but faltered just when it seemed he was on the verge of claiming another big scalp.

"I'm not disappointed, to be honest, it was a great experience," Evans said.

He had already pulled off the biggest upset of the opening round when beat Japan's Kei Nishikori, ranked 11th in the world, and followed that up by beating Bernard Tomic in the second round.

His win over Tomic was all the sweeter because the Australian's father had once prevented Evans from practising with his son, telling him he was not good enough.

Evans said he used that as motivation and now wants to use his success in New York to improve his ranking.

"It was a good stepping stone but not I'm not where I want to be, in the top 100," he said. "So I've still got a bit of work to do."

Robredo, an experienced campaigner who has been on the Grand Slam circuit for more than a decade, was always going to be a tough opponent for Evans and the Spaniard looked to be cruising to victory after winning the first two sets.

But the 19th seed began to struggle in the third set because of a leg injury that required medical treatment and had to be iced at each change of ends.

Evans won the third set and had two set points on his own serve in the fourth and the crowd on his side at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Then the wheels suddenly came off. He served two double faults and Robredo reeled off the last four games in a row to seal victory.

"You just have to learn from these experiences," said Evans. "I dont know what happened. I didn't feel tight, I just missed some easy hits."

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US Open - Wozniacki upset by Italian qualifier Giorgi

US Open - Wozniacki upset by Italian qualifier Giorgi

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki's lack of firepower was exposed yet again when she was stunned 4-6 6-4 6-3 by Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi in the third round of the US Open.

 

Giorgi struck 46 winners to Wozniacki's 13 to ensure the Dane's long, and to date fruitless, quest for a maiden Grand Slam title would go into another season.

The 23-year-old sixth seed fought until the very end, saving four match points before the ultra-aggressive Giorgi hit one final winner to finish proceedings in two hours and 32 minutes.

"All of a sudden she came into the rhythm and just started hitting everything and it was starting to go in," Wozniacki said.

"She put me under pressure and I started to play a little short. And then all of a sudden she was all over the ball.

"I felt like I needed to push her back but she took very high-risk shots and things were going in for her. She was going for the lines and hitting them when she wanted to."

Wozniacki reached the US Open final in 2009 but seven years after playing her first Grand Slam, at Wimbledon, the girlfriend of golf Major champion Rory McIlroy has yet to crack the code to winning one of her own.

Her defensive style rarely keeps her in the contest against the likes of the Williams sisters or Maria Sharapova and Giorgi took a leaf from their manuals. Wozniacki's best result at the Slams this year was reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open.

"I think it's normal to be disappointed," she said. "We were playing two-and-a-half hours out there, I lost the match and I would obviously have loved to be in the next round.

"It's tough to be really aggressive when someone is just going for every shot. It wasn't the best year for me at the majors, but there is a next year."

Giorgi, who received a code violation for illegal coaching from her animated father, Sergio, said it was a dream come true to simply play inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I wanted that," said the 21-year-old, who next faces 10th seed and compatriot Roberta Vinci for a place in the quarter-finals. "It was my goal to be there. It was amazing to play there. I was focused for every point. I think I played better tactically, maybe.

"When the ball came, I just tried to hit it in the corners."

Despite her aggressive ball striking, the diminutive world number 136 made little noise on the court.

"I don't like to be too loud," she said softly.

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US Open - Israel's Glushko pained by Hantuchova defeat

US Open - Israel's Glushko pained by Hantuchova defeat

It was a tournament of firsts for Israeli Julia Glushko but in the end there was only the sting of disappointment after she was ousted in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday.

 

The 23-year-old qualifier had four chances to reach the round of 16 but the dream run fell short against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, who advanced with a 3-6 7-5 7-6 (4) victory.

Glushko first won three matches to qualify. She beat 20th-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova 6-3 6-4 in the opening round of the main draw for the first tour-level win of her career and followed that by beating wildcard Sachia Vickery 7-5 6-3.

Although Glushko held four match points on Hantuchova's serve in the 10th game of the third set, she failed to convert any and eventually lost in a climactic tiebreaker 7-4 after saving two match points herself in the decider.

"It was a good experience. It was my first time playing third round in a slam," Glushko told Reuters before the pain of losing took over her emotions.

"I'm just so disappointed from today that I can't be happy yet for it. I'm a happy person, just so sad."

Glushko was born in Ukraine to tennis coaching parents and moved to Israel when she was nine years old.

"I grew up in Israel and I totally have the mentality of an Israeli person," she said with a laugh.

The second-lowest ranked player left in the draw at 128, Glushko felt bad about not quite matching the battling example of her mentor, veteran Israeli player Shahar Pe'er.

Israeli Fed Cup team mate Pe'er has won six tour titles and been as high as 11th in the rankings with quarter-final showings at both the U.S. Open and Australian Open.

"Me and Shahar are really good friends, which is great to have because she inspires me so much," Glushko said.

"She is the biggest fighter I know. She would do anything to win, do anything on court to win. I'm on the Fed Cup team since I was 17, so it's been six years.

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US Open - Canadian sleeper Raonic stirs in New York

US Open - Canadian sleeper Raonic stirs in New York

Touted as a leading member of 'Generation Next', Milos Raonic beat Feliciano Lopez 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 6-4 at the US Open.

 

The powerful 22-year-old Canadian roared into the fourth round thanks to his thunderous serve, which has landed him a chart-topping 65 aces for the tournament. His heaviest delivery of 145 miles per hour is the quickest of the event.

His relatively seamless progression through the draw comes on the back of his recent appearance in the final of the Montreal Masters against Rafa Nadal and a move up to number 11 in the world rankings.

While the American tennis fraternity sweats on the arrival of a men's player to match the deeds of retired superstars Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, the relaxed and quietly-spoken Raonic admitted he benefited from lower expectations in Canada.

"There's a lot more pressure on the Americans," he said.

"One advantage they have growing up is that maybe there are more wildcard opportunities as an American.

"I'm doing a lot of stuff in uncharted territories, so people are very supportive of it. Whereas I feel it's a little bit unfair to the American players, everybody expecting another Pete and Agassi to be there on the top.

"Everybody is always asking, why isn't their playing doing this? This is an American. I think that's the big difference."

Ranoic, though, denied he was flying completely under the radar compared to his US counterparts.

"I think the attention is the same," he said. "I don't know how to say it, but one is more negative than the other because they (Americans) are expecting a lot more. In Canada, it's a lot more positive to be in the situation I am right now."

Lopez was unable to break the serve of his 1.96 m tall opponent in their two hours and 37 minutes on Court 17.

"I was really struggling with getting anywhere on his service games, but I found my own a little bit," Raonic said.

"I was getting confidence and calming down. I wasn't feeling as nervous about the whole situation. I was a little sloppy at the net at times, but I started cleaning things up from the baseline."

Montenegro-born, Toronto-raised and now resident in Monaco, Raonic's biggest concern appeared to be his sunburned face.

"I didn't have any (sun tan lotion) on, so I will probably pay for that tonight," he said.

Raonic has yet to reach the quarter-finals at a major.

His next assignment will be against eight-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who reached the fourth round when 32nd-seeded Russian Dmitry Tursunov retired.

The winner of the Raonic-Gasquet clash will have a winnable quarter-final against Spain's David Ferrer or Serbian Janko Tipsarevic.

In his only previous meeting against Gasquet, on hard courts at Cincinnati last year, Raonic won in straight sets.

"I'm going to have to focus a lot on myself and not let him get into a rhythm," he said.

"I thought I did that pretty well today. Always when I had a short ball, I would go for it, even on the backhand side. I have to let them never get into a rhythm."

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US Open - Day seven order of play: Murray on court

US Open - Day seven order of play: Murray on court

Order of play for day seven of the US Open, with Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Agnieszka Radwanska on court.

 

Arthur Ashe Stadium

Not before 1 pm (6pm UK)

3-Andy Murray (Britain) v Florian Mayer (Germany)

1-Serena Williams (U.S.) v 15-Sloane Stephens (USA)

7 pm (midnight UK)

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Joao Sousa (Portugal) 5-Li Na (China) v 9-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia)

Louis Armstrong Stadium

11 am (4pm UK)

9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) v Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)

8-Angelique Kerber (Germany) v 18-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain)

12-Tommy Haas (Germany) v 21-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia)

3-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) v 24-Ekaterina Makarova (Russia)

Grandstand

12 pm (5pm UK)

31-Julien Benneteau (France) v 5-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)

Evgeny Donskoy (Russia) v Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)

Tim Smyczek (USA) v Marcel Granollers (ESP)

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US Open - Nadal roars into fourth round as Fed clash looms

US Open - Nadal roars into fourth round as Fed clash looms

Rafa Nadal, growing in confidence with each match, blasted his way into the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday with an ominous display as the upsets continued at the last Grand Slam of the year.

 

The world number two turned on a masterclass of power and precision as he brushed aside Croatia's Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-3 6-3 to lead a trio of Spanish men into the fourth round.

French Open runner-up David Ferrer also moved through, beating Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4, while a third Spaniard, Tommy Robredo, ended the Cinderella run of British qualifier Dan Evans, winning 7-6 (6) 6-1 4-6 7-5.

Nadal has been in great form in the past month, winning warm-up tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati. He has not dropped a single set in getting to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows and believes he is still improving.

"I played better today than in the previous matches. (That's) always a positive thing," he said.

"I started the match with a high intensity. I lost to Ivan the last time we played in Montreal and he won two hard matches here against Fernando Verdasco, a lefty like me, and Nikolay Davydenko.

"I think I played my best match of the week so far today."

Nadal's next opponent is Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber, who beat towering American John Isner 6-4 3-6 7-5 7-6 (5), with Roger Federer looming as a possible quarter-final opponent.

The two great rivals have never played each other at the year's final Grand Slam, but could meet next week.

Federer, playing the feature night match at an buzzing Arthur Ashe Stadium, doled out a 6-3 6-0 6-2 hammering to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino but knows the focus is already on the possible meeting with Nadal.

"I have gone through that my entire career, people talking about our matches even before the tournament started," the Swiss said.

"We're used to it. We know how to handle it. Clearly I think we both hope it's going to happen this time for the first time in New York."

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US Open - Ill Kvitova falls to Riske

US Open - Ill Kvitova falls to Riske

Petra Kvitova required blood tests for another mystery virus before being eliminated from the US Open on Saturday by an American who travels the world with her childhood security blanket.

 

Kvitova, the former Wimbledon champion, was on the verge of becoming world number one last year. But her decline in results continued with a lacklustre 6-3 6-0 loss to world number 81 Alison Riske in the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Kvitova, currently ranked 10th in the world, had her blood pressure taken during a medical time out in the second set of a defeat that took one hour and five minutes.

"Unfortunately I was lying in the bed yesterday and I had a fever, so I didn't come to the site yesterday," she said.

"My body didn't help me today. I tried to play, tried to fight. But my body wouldn't let me fight.

"That's life. It's not only in the tennis. It's something I hope can help me and make me a little stronger."

Kvitova's early departure replicated unexpected losses at the three other Majors this year.

She was beaten by Britain's Laura Robson in round two at the Australian Open, American Jamie Hampton in round three of the French Open and upset by Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

She was also hampered by a virus at The All England Club.

"I think it's the same," she said. "I had a blood test to see if it was bacteria and virus, and it was virus. I mean, I didn't have any sore throat or anything like that. I had just a very high fever.

"It's unlucky at a Grand Slam. I will take it for this year and next year will be better."

Kvitova was a heavy favourite against the 23-year-old American after beating her recently in New Haven. But it quickly became apparent that Kvitova was ill.

"I couldn't play really long rallies, like more than three shots in the rallies," she said.

"So I try to play my aggressive game. First or second shots, to have a winner. I am disappointed."

She was scheduled to have more blood tests before leaving New York.

Riske was in tears during her on-court interview.

"I believe I belong here," she said.

Riske revealed the faith she placed in a small blanket given to her on the day she was born.

"The blankie story is out," she said after her first victory against a top-10 player.

"I'm used to it now. I can't deny it now. It's getting smaller by the week. It can fit in the palm of my hand.

"My siblings always used to hide it. Used to make me so mad."

The American wildcard said her good luck charm would stay in her hotel room in Manhattan during her fourth round appearance on Monday.

"It's been with me since the second I was born," she said. "It's been around the world. It started out forest green and now it's like mint green. I don't know if it's a colour now."

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US Open - Azarenka safely through after dropping set

US Open - Azarenka safely through after dropping set

A feisty Victoria Azarenka dropped her first set of the tournament on Saturday before regaining her composure to safely book her place in the last 16 at the US Open.

 

 

A finalist last year and one of the favourites to win the title this season, the Belarusian passed her first real test at the championship in beating beat Alize Cornet of France 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2.

By her own admission, this was not one of Azarenka's best performances. She made 38 unforced errors and got involved in an argument with the chair umpire over a line call.

"I don't think I played my best tennis today but I have to give her credit. She played really well," Azarenka said. "The dynamic of the match was a little bit weird for me.

"I felt like I didn't take my opportunities in the first set, which was kind of a waste and it gave her a lot of confidence."

The first set took more than an hour to complete and the 24-year-old Azarenka was frustrated that she let it go after fighting back from 4-1 behind to force a tiebreak. But she raised her game in the remaining two sets, reducing her unforced error count.

"That was more me playing, more finding the rhythm," she said. "I felt much better in the third set than in the first set which was going past the two-hour mark. It's pretty good, so I'm happy with that."

Azarenka's frustrations threatened to boil over when the umpire ordered a point she had won to be replayed and was still fuming about it after the match.

"That was the most ridiculous thing there is," she said. "I had already walked to my chair, Alize almost walked to her chair, they said, 'replay the point'."

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US Open - Halep's magic ride carries her to round of 16

US Open - Halep's magic ride carries her to round of 16

The magic ride enjoyed by Romanian Simona Halep grew more thrilling as she produced her best tennis to derail 14th-seeded Maria Kirilenko 6-1 6-0 on Saturday to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

 

After five winless years on the tour, the 21-year-old Halep has caught fire in 2013, notching four titles including the US Open hard court run-up event in New Haven last week.

"It was the best match ever for me," Halep said after a lightning-quick demolition of Kirilenko that took just 51 minutes. "I played incredible today. No mistakes."

Pardon Halep for the slightest of exaggerations as the aggressive baseliner was charged with eight unforced errors, though her helpful opponent committed three times that number.

For Kirilenko, it was a case of once again hitting a third-round barrier at the US Open.

The Russian had reached the round of 32 at Flushing Meadows for the eighth time but only once has she gone beyond, with a fourth-round appearance against eventual winner Samantha Stosur in 2011.

The victory put the former French Open junior champion into the round of 16 for the first time at a Grand Slam.

She will face Italy's Flavia Pennetta, a 7-5 6-1 winner against 2004 US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova following her upset of fourth-seeded compatriot Sara Errani.

Halep was hard-pressed to explain her brilliant run.

"I am more aggressive, more relaxed on court," said Halep, who has recovered from a variety of nagging injuries. "I just want to take the pleasure of every point and fight for every point.

"I feel good, and I play really, really good now."

The Romanian, who ended last year ranked 47th, has soared up the rankings list, climbing into the top 20 at number 19.

After a mediocre start to the year, Halep caught fire in June, winning her first tour titles at Nurnberg and 's-Hertogenbosch, then adding another crown at Budapest in July.

A lower back injury forced her to withdraw from the Toronto event this month, but she came back to reach the quarters at Cincinnati before falling to world number one Serena Williams.

Halep said beating Czech Petra Kvitova in the final to cap another title run last week gave her a big boost.

"I played really good in New Haven, a good week, the best week in my life," said Halep. "When I came here, I just wanted to keep my energy on."

Halep cleared a difficult hurdle in her opening match at Flushing Meadows.

"My first match was very difficult because (Briton Heather Watson) had set and 4-3. But I came back," she said.

Halep followed that with a 6-2 6-1 thrashing of Croat Donna Vekic, then Saturday's rout of Kirilenko.

"I'm happy that I can win a lot of matches here. I played really good. I want to enjoy this tournament," said Halep, hoping the magic ride has miles to go.

"I feel good. I just want to keep going."

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US Open - Ferrer through to last 16 after beating Kukushkin

US Open - Ferrer through to last 16 after beating Kukushkin

Spain's David Ferrer became the first man to reach the round of 16 at this year's US Open when he defeated Kazakhstan qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin on Saturday.

 

Ferrer, seeded fourth after reaching the French Open final in June, dropped a set for the second match in a row but was otherwise untroubled in his 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory.

Kukushkin matched his best performance at a Grand Slam by reaching the third round but contributed to his own downfall by committing 66 unforced errors, almost twice as many as Ferrer.

The Spaniard was a semi-finalist at the US Open in 2007 and again last year. His next opponent will be Janko Tipsarevic who beat Jack Sock 3-6 7-6(1) 6-1 6-2.

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US Open - Evergreen Hewitt defies doctors to record huge upset

US Open - Evergreen Hewitt defies doctors to record huge upset

Six doctors told former world number one Lleyton Hewitt he should retire.

 

Thankfully he sought further opinion and is now looking forward to a third round clash at the U.S. Open.

Hewitt's inspirational five-set triumph over Argentina's sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro at Flushing Meadows on Friday was a crowning moment in his harrowing journey back from five rounds of surgery.

The 32-year-old Australian recovered from blowing a huge early lead to finally notch a 6-4 5-7 3-6 7-6(2) 6-1 second round win on Arthur Ashe Stadium that came two years after he was repeatedly told he should quit if he had major surgery on the big toe of his left foot.

"The foot surgery, I must have seen seven or eight different surgeons worldwide," Hewitt said.

"At least six of them told me to retire if you have it done. I'm very thankful that I found the guy that I believed in. We went in there and we were optimistic about it."

In 2011, Hewitt's toe was chronically arthritic and misshapen after years of digging into courts to launch his service action. Last year he had the toe reconstructed and irreversibly fused.

Cartilage was removed in 2012 and painful bone spurs were shaved off. A steel rod was inserted. The toe no longer moves, but nor does it give Hewitt grief.

"We thought I might be able to play doubles," he said. "But we weren't 100 percent sure whether I would be able to come back and play singles, even with doing all the hard work with rehab.

"In the back of your mind, you still have question marks, whether it's going to be good enough to go out and compete on the centre stage against the top players again.

"When I first came back for the French Open and Wimbledon, I wasn't in a good place in terms of the foot. I was still in a bit of pain after the surgery, but the last year has been pretty good."

Hewitt double-faulted at set point in the second set. He proceeded to fall in a hole there seemed no escape from before producing a near perfect tiebreaker to ensure the match went the distance. Vintage ball striking and counter-punching had him raising his arms in victory after four hours and three minutes of toil.

"I don't know how many years I have left in me so I was just hanging to get back on this court again," he said in a courtside interview afterwards.

"It was a hell of a lot of fun. I cherish every match I get. This is why I still play, to have moments like this."

Later, he added: "It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I just kept fighting and putting it out there. I kept coming at him the whole night. I was frustrated not closing it out when I had the chance. He was hitting the ball a lot bigger and I was on the defensive the whole time. I didn't put a foot wrong in the tiebreaker."

Twelve long years have passed since Hewitt beat the great Pete Sampras to win the U.S Open. He was subdued after toppling Del Potro to set up a clash against Russia's Evgeny Donskoy, admitting he was vaguely stunned himself by the result.

"It's an amazing feeling," he said.

"For me, just going back in the locker room afterwards, I sort of had to pinch myself. I love being out in that atmosphere, sucking up every second of it.

"He's a pretty quiet guy and I was trying to stay in my zone out there. Obviously over five sets there's going to be a lot of ups and downs and momentum swings. I don't know how many times I'm going to play here in the future. I didn't take it for granted tonight."

Del Potro, also a former U.S. Open champion, paid tribute to Hewitt's tenacity. The Argentinian, however, contributed to his own demise with 70 unforced errors. "He's a great champion and a great fighter."

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