US Open: Stan Wawrinka triumphs as Juan Martin del Potro runs out of steam in quarter-final clash

Despite Del Potro's best efforts, Wawrinka saw off the Argentine to win 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-3 6-2

Wawrinka will now face Kei Nishikori, who had earlier recorded a surprise five-set victory over Andy Murray (Getty)

Stan Wawrinka took one step closer to a third grand slam title after outlasting an emotional Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open.

Del Potro was bidding to reach his first grand-slam semi-final since a wrist injury derailed his career but the Argentinian ran out of steam in Arthur Ashe Stadium as Wawrinka won 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-3 6-2.

As Wawrinka prepared to serve for the match, the crowd celebrated Del Potro's revival by singing his name, prompting the tearful 27-year-old to hold up his racket in appreciation.

It is Wawrinka, however, who goes through to the last four and he will now face Kei Nishikori, who had earlier recorded a surprise five-set victory over Andy Murray.

In the other semi-final, world number one Novak Djokovic plays France's Gael Monfils.

"It was an amazing match for me," Wawrinka said on court afterwards.

"Even though it was four sets, it was the toughest match mentally and physically against Juan Martin who is an incredible player and I'm really happy to win that match.

"It was not easy because he's really tough, he makes you hesitate, I tried to make longer rallies and go back a bit to make him play more balls.


 Wawrinka proved too much for Del Potro 
 (Getty)

"I tried to keep him on the backhand side and try to dictate but I had to wait a long time to take advantage."

Wawrinka is now two wins away from clinching a third major crown, to add to the ones he claimed at the Australian Open in 2014 and French Open last year.

The Swiss was match point down against Britain's Dan Evans in the third round here but has been ruthless ever since, dispatching Ukraine's Illya Marchenko and now a weary Del Potro.

Del Potro was unseeded at Flushing Meadows, having been handed a wildcard while his world number 142 ranking recovers from two years out with injury.

The 2009 US Open champion missed nine grand slams in a row while undergoing three bouts of surgery but he showed signs of a resurgence at the Olympics last month and has backed it up with a strong run in New York.

Ultimately, however, Del Potro's fitness ran out as he continues to regain stamina following such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

If he had been able to force a decider, it would have been the first five-set match he had played since January 2014.


 Del Potro is on the road to recovery from his two-year absence 
 (Getty)

It never came to pass as Wawrinka was clinical, coming back from a break and 4-1 down in the opening frame to claim the tie-break and a one-set lead.

Del Potro tightened up in the second, breaking at 4-3 to level up, but fatigue began to settle in thereafter.

He had to sit down on the side of the court at 2-0 in the fourth to rest his legs as seven-time major champion John McEnroe said on ESPN: "That's fatigue. Whether it's mental or physical, he's just not thinking as clearly now."

Wawrinka showed no mercy, breaking twice for a 4-0 lead, and while the crowd sang Del Potro's name at the finish, the Swiss confirmed victory at 1.15am local time after three hours and 13 minutes.

PA.