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Stan Wawrinka has advanced to the semi-finals of the US Open after a fascinating four-set match where he got the better of Juan Martin Del Potro, with the winning point finally hit after 3 hours and 12 minutes at 1:20am local time.
Wawrinka was looking very shaky early against the powerful forehand of Del Potro dropping down to 4-1 in the first set, but he would mount a massive comeback, forcing a tie-breaker off some mistakes before putting it away in convincing fashion.
Del Potro would then continue using his powerful forehand to take the second set 6-4, with Wawrinka again looking shaky but that is where the match would change.
The third set was even for the most part, but Wawrinka powered ahead with a break and never looked back, winning the third set 6-3, and then ripping backhands and forehands left, right and centre against a very tired looking Del Potro to take the fourth set 6-2.
Wawrinka now will take on Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals.
Score
Juan Martin Del Potro 6 6 3 2
Stan Wawrinka 7 4 6 6
Juan Martin Del Potro looks to continue his golden run through the US Open when he takes on the third seed Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 10:30am (AEST).
Del Potro of course, won the US Open in 2009 but has struggled with injuries over the last couple of years and lost a lot of his following on the ATP circuit.
However, this year has marked his return to form and despite a third round exit at Wimbledon, he has since won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and dominated his way through the US Open, making it all the way to this stage of the tournament without dropping a set.
That could be about to change against Wawrinka, but his serve is firing and he looks about as good as he ever has – while Dominic Thiem retired in the second set he was very strong against the likes of David Ferrer and Steve Johnson.
Wawrinka on the other hand, has been up and down a bit like a yo-yo. His form looked shaky in the lead up with losses against Kei Nishikori and Grigor Dimitrov, but then strong during the first two rounds where he won in straight sets.
He then came up against Daniel Evans in a match that went to five sets, before again dropping a set against Illya Marchenko.
His serve has been inconsistent, and a backhand that is among the best in the game not firing – the bottom line is that if he wants to beat Del Potro then rapid improvement is needed.
The pair have previously faced off on six occasions, with Del Potro controlling the ledger 4-2. Interestingly though, they have never met on the hard court but the Argentine has won all of the last four meetings.
That includes their second round match at Wimbledon this year when Del Potro started to announce his return from injury, with a shock victory in four sets.
The winner of this match goes onto play either Kei Nishikori or Andy Murray in the next round.
Prediction
Del Potro has been in golden form and Wawrinka not so. While their rankings would suggest Wawrinka should win their previous meetings and form don’t. Wawrinka is a fighter, but I’m not sure he has it in him to win this.
Del Potro in five fascinating sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this US Open quarter-final from around 10:30am (AEST) or at the completion of Serena Williams and Simona Halep and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde