Andy Murray is through to the US Open semi-final at Flushing Meadows in New York. The 21 year-old saw off Juan Martin Del Potro 7-6(2) 7-6(1) 4-6 7-5 in a hard fought quarter-final battle that lasted nearly four hours on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Murray got off to the best possible start in the first set by breaking Del Potro’s opening service game and racing into a 4-1 lead. However, the Argentinean fought back well by winning the next four games to find himself serving for the set. Refusing to lie down, the British No 1 broke back and then held his nerve in the tie-break.
Having also won the second set on a tie-break, Murray looked in control of the match when he led 3-1 in the third. However, after receiving treatment on a knee injury, Del Potro stormed back to snatch the set and claim a break advantage in the fourth. With the match looking like it was heading into a decider, Murray produced a gutsy display to clinch the set 7-5 and end Del Potro's 23 match unbeaten run.
Murray will now meet the world No 1, Rafael Nadal, in the semi-final after the Spaniard defeated home favourite Mardy Fish in the last eight. The British No 1’s previous best performance in a Grand Slam came at The Championships in July where he lost to Nadal in the quarter-final.
Meanwhile, Jamie Murray and American Liezel Huber will contest their mixed doubles final against the No 5 seeds, Indian Leander Paes and Zimbabwean Cara Black, on Thursday – not before 5:30pm (BST).
Mixed fortunes for juniors in New York
Marcus Willis and Dan Smethurst both bowed out in the singles second round at the US Open junior event.
Having comfortably won his opening match, Willis lost against the French No 6 seed, Guillaume Rufin, 6-3 5-7 4-6 while Smethurst was beaten by the Thai No 15 seed, Peerakit Siributwong, 3-6 2-6. The pair also lost in the doubles second round against Argentinean Guido Pella and Mexican Cesar Ramirez 6-7(4) 6-4 [4-10].
Meanwhile, Dan Cox is already through to the singles third round where he will meet American Chase Buchanan. The 17 year-old has also reached the doubles quarter-final with Dane Propoggia after the Anglo-Aussie duo beat Zimbabwean Takanyi Garanganga and Egyptian Karim-Mohamed Maamoun 6-3 6-3 in the second round.