Del Potro beats Isner, ends American hopes to reach third US Open semi-final

Juan Martin del Potro reached the US Open semi-finals for the third time, defeating John Isner 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 and ending American hopes of a first men's champion at the event since 2003.

Argentine third seed Del Potro, the champion in 2009, goes on to face either world number one and defending champion Rafael Nadal or Austria's Dominic Thiem for a place in the final.

Del Potro dropped his first set of the tournament against 11th seed Isner, who was playing in his maiden quarter-final at his home Slam.

Despite that, the 29-year-old was never broken in the 3 hour 31 minute match where Isner unleashed 26 aces but was undone by 52 unforced errors compared to Del Potro's 14.

"To reach the semi-final again here in New York in my favourite tournament is very special to me," said Del Potro on Tuesday after his eighth win over Isner in 12 meetings.

"To play John in these kind of matches, it's like an epic.

"We fought the whole match and I survived with my serve which was key."
- Nadal against Thiem -
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