Nadal sets up semi-final clash with Del Potro

New York : Spain's Rafael Nadal defeated Austria's Dominic Thiem in an epic five-set quarter-final at the US Open tennis tournament.

The reigning US Open champion and world number one endured a gruelling match against ninth-seeded Thiem, who swept the first set 6-0 on Tuesday night, reports EFE news agency.

Nadal mounted an impressive comeback, winning the next two sets as he got to grips with the Austrian's power.

Thiem levelled the match with a fourth set tie-break victory before Nadal finally edged a tense final set after another tie-break.

The match, which lasted 4 hours and 49 minutes, ended after 2 a.m. local time, with Nadal prevailing 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-5).

The Spaniard moves on to the semi-finals where he will meet Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, world no. 3 who defeated American John Isner 6 (5)-7, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Tuesday.