Rafael Nadal will hope to continue his push towards a 19th Grand Slam title when he plays in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday.

Three-time US Open winner Nadal faces Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, who has never reached a Grand Slam semi-final.

France’s Gael Monfils plays Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the last eight.

In the women’s event, Belinda Bencic, who eliminated Naomi Osaka, meets Donna Vekic, with Canada’s Bianca Andreescu up against Elise Mertens of Belgium.

Nadal, 33, is the only player seeded in the top 12 to be in action on the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday and meets Schwartzman after the 20th seed knocked out world number six Alexander Zverev on Monday.

Spaniard Nadal has been in impressive form and lost only three games in the last two sets of his four-set win over 6ft 6in Marin Cilic, a player almost a foot taller than 5ft 7in Schwartzman.

“It will be a big challenge, I have to play my best,” Nadal said. “I’m happy for Diego, he’s a close friend and I hope to play a great match.

“He is playing amazing – he is one of the players with the best talent on tour.”

Monfils reached the final four at Flushing Meadows three years ago, while 23-year-old Berrettini will be playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

On Tuesday, Monfils watched on as partner Elina Svitolina moved into the last four of the women’s event, beating Britain’s Johanna Konta 6-4 6-4.

“We’re pushing each other and we’re now trying to join each other in the semi-finals – now it’s time for him to step up his game,” the Ukrainian joked.

Teenager Andreescu ‘never felt this confident before’

Nineteen-year-old Canadian Andreescu, a winner over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the third round, had never got past round two in a Slam before this tournament.

“It feels awesome. I’ve been working and dreaming of this moment for a really long time, so it feels pretty damn good to be in the quarters here,” she said.

“I’m really happy, but the tournament’s not done yet and I can do even better. I’ve never felt this confident before. This year has been the best of my life.”

However, Andreescu’s opponent, Mertens, the 25th seed, has been in fine form, not losing more than three games in any set in four matches.

In the first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium at 17:00 BST, Bencic, a 7-5 6-4 winner over 2018 champion and world number one Naomi Osaka on Monday, takes on Croatia’s Vekic.

Bencic, 22, was out of action for five months in 2017 after having wrist surgery and her ranking dropped outside the top 300 before she worked her way back up.

“When you’re injured you wonder if you can ever play at this level again,” said Bencic. “All true athletes have to overcome obstacles, injuries, tough times and it made me a stronger person, a better player.”

On a match against her friend Vekic, Bencic added: “It will be great that one of us will be in the semi-finals. I’m very happy for her. But definitely I want to win.”

Busy day for Jamie Murray

In the men’s doubles quarter-finals, British pair Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski take on unseeded Americans Jack Sock and Jackson Withrow.

Britain’s Luke Bambridge, along with Japan’s Ben McLachlan, play the top-seeded Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, who won the doubles title at Wimbledon in July.

It is a busy day for Murray as he is also in mixed doubles semi-finals action, partnering American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Last year’s champions will play third seeds Samantha Stosur and Rajeev Ram.

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Five-time champion Roger Federer is out of the US Open after Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov won a late-night thriller to finally beat the Swiss great.

Federer, 38, had won all seven of their previous meetings but unseeded Dimitrov fought back to win 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2.

Federer, who needed treatment for a back injury in the latter stages, said: “I felt it the whole time, but I was able to play.”

Dimitrov, 28, faces Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the last four.

“Clearly in the end he was not at his best. I used every opportunity I had,” said the Bulgarian.

World number 78 Dimitrov’s shock win ensured there will be at least one first-time Grand Slam finalist on Sunday.

Third seed Federer, who lost to Australian John Millman in the last 16 last year, has now been knocked out of the US Open by players ranked outside of the world’s top 50 for the second successive year – after never previously having lost to one at Flushing Meadows.

Afterwards, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said he was struggling with the back problem throughout the match.

“I feel low. I’m disappointed it is over because I feel as I though I was playing well,” Federer said.

“It is a missed opportunity. I thought if I could get through I’d have two days off after.”

Federer’s exit leaves long-time rival Rafael Nadal as the strong favourite to lift the trophy, with defending champion Novak Djokovic also out after retiring injured from his last-16 match against Stan Wawrinka on Sunday.

Spanish second seed Nadal, a three-time US Open champion, faces Argentine 20th seed Diego Schwartzman in their quarter-final on Wednesday.

But it is clearly a golden opportunity for 33-year-old Nadal to win his 19th Grand Slam title and narrow the gap on Federer in the race to be regarded as the greatest men’s player of all time.

Federer’s loss also ended the possibility of the illustrious pair, rather remarkably, meeting at the US Open for the first time in their enduring rivalry.

• Konta beaten by Svitolina in quarter-finals
• Williams overpowers Wang in 44 minutes to reach semis
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‘Baby Fed’ comes good

Dimitrov, whose career has stalled spectacularly in the past two years, was not expected to be the man to prevent a ‘Fedal’ final from happening.

Nicknamed ‘Baby Fed’ in the early days of his professional career because of his technique, the Bulgarian was once heralded as the man who might succeed the Swiss as the leading player in the men’s game.

But he has tumbled down the ATP rankings since reaching a career-high ranking of three in November 2017, with a shoulder injury derailing his season this year and forcing him to withdraw from four tournaments.

Coming into the final Grand Slam of the season Dimitrov had lost seven of his previous eight matches, including a chastening defeat by world number 405 Kevin King in Atlanta.

However, the 2017 World Tour Finals champion has suddenly rediscovered his form at Flushing Meadows to devastating effect.

“I think the past six, seven months have been pretty rough for me,” he said.

“It was that low that I don’t even want to go there any more. It was just obviously injury, losing points, ranking. That’s the lowest point of any player.

“I kept on believing again in the work, the rehab I had to put behind my shoulder, the exercise, the practice. There were so many things I had to adjust.

“Next thing, you’re almost end of the year, you have a result like that. It’s pretty special to me.”

Dimitrov bounced back from losing the first set against Federer with ferocious forehands which rocked the Swiss and helped him level the match.

Despite falling behind for a second time, Dimitrov managed to retain belief and dragged his long-time foe into some physically-draining points in the fourth set.

Having broken in the opening game, Dimitrov pushed for a 5-2 lead in a remarkable eighth game where Federer fought off seven break points to eventually hold.

Federer then had five chances of his own to break back in another marathon game before Dimitrov served out to take the match into a decider, the Swiss then taking a 10-minute medical time-out in a bid to ease his back injury.

That did not alleviate the problem, however, Dimitrov taking full advantage to win a match ending at 23:46 local time after three hours and 12 minutes.

Serena Williams underlined her tag as the favourite for the US Open with a brutal quarter-final win over China’s Wang Qiang in just 44 minutes.

The 37-year-old American broke serve five times and hit 25 winners as she eased to a 6-1 6-0 win over the 18th seed on Arthur Ashe Stadium

Williams, seeded eighth, is chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

She will face Ukraine’s fifth seed Elina Svitolina, who beat Britain’s Johanna Konta, in the semi-finals.

• Konta beaten by Svitolina in quarter-finals
• Medvedev advances despite thinking he might have to quit

“When I play someone who is playing well I have to step up or go home and I’m not ready to go,” said Williams, who earned her 100th singles win at the US Open.

“I knew I needed to come out tonight and play well. I’m feeling good, had a really tough year and I’m still here.

“Physically I’m feeling great and more importantly I’m having fun every time I come out here.”

Williams turns Wang’s first semi-final into nightmare

Six-time US Open champion Williams has not won a Grand Slam title since returning from giving birth to daughter Olympia in September 2017.

She has fallen short of moving level with Australian Margaret Court’s all-time tally with defeats in the past two Wimbledon finals and last year’s US Open showpiece.

Here she has moved serenely through the draw, steamrolling past three of her opponents – including old rival Maria Sharapova – in straight sets.

American 17-year-old Caty McNally is the only player to have tested Williams, trying to push her illustrious opponent around the court in a bid to expose her perceived lack of movement.

And that will be the tactic likely to be adopted by Svitolina, whose relentless returning is the hallmark of her game.

Williams never had that problem against Wang, keeping the points short with her thunderous serves and booming groundstrokes.

Williams dropped just seven points as she raced into a 5-0 lead, Wang avoiding the bagel with a hard-earned hold before another forehand winner from the American clinched the opener in 23 minutes.

Williams won 26 of the first-set points compared to 11 by her opponent, cracking 12 winners and winning 92% of the points when she landed her first serve.

Wang, who had not dropped a set on her way to the last eight, looked completed shell-shocked as she continued to be pummelled by a ruthless Williams in the second set.

The winners continued to flow from the American’s racquet as she did bagel Wang at the second attempt, sealing the shortest completed win of the tournament with another sizzling cross-court forehand.

Wang won just four points in the second set and ended the match without hitting a single winner.

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British number one Johanna Konta missed out on the US Open semi-finals after she was worn down by Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina.

Konta, 28, was unable to impose herself in a 6-4 6-4 defeat on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 16th seed, aiming to complete the set of major semi-final appearances, was forced into errors by 24-year-old Svitolina’s impressive retrieving.

She saved two match points before rock-solid Svitolina served out the win.

Svitolina, the highest seed left in the draw, will play American 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams or China’s Wang Qiang in the last four.

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Konta unable to solve Svitolina problem – but plenty of positives

Despite being outclassed by a superior opponent at the final Grand Slam of the season, Konta can reflect on a successful year at the majors after reaching the French Open semi-finals – on a clay surface on which she had previously struggled – and another run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Former world number four Konta was on the verge of dropping out of the top 50 earlier this year before a change of fortunes under new coach Dimitri Zavialoff – who enjoyed success with Swiss pair Stan Wawrinka and Timea Bacsinszky – has lifted her back to the cusp of the world’s top 10.

The Frenchman has given Konta more “autonomy” to solve the problems put forward by her opponents, although her valiant attempts to play with variation could not unsettle Svitolina.

Konta was the first British woman to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1983, but could not match her feat by going one step further as Svitolina maintained her record of not dropping a set during the tournament.

The Ukrainian, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and also won the WTA Tour Finals last year, is one of the most consistent ball-strikers in the women’s game and her ability to keep putting the ball back into play proved Konta’s downfall.

It led to Konta trying to force the points with her aggressive returns, leading to 35 unforced errors – and 20 more forced by her opponent – outweighing 24 winners.

By contrast, Svitolina only made 13 unforced errors in a high-quality performance.

“I do feel that was the best I’ve felt her play against me,” Konta said.

“I didn’t play badly at all, I was doing a lot of bright things. She just made me play that extra ball, it’s frustrating.”

Svitolina’s time? Serena might have something to say…

Konta had come into this meeting having lost all four of her previous meetings with Svitolina – and the world number five once again showed she had the tools to blunt the Briton.

The Ukrainian, coached by Englishman Andy Bettles and formerly based in London, broke first for a 3-2 lead before allowing Konta to instantly level, leaving the world number five hammering a ball into the court in anger at letting the advantage disappear.

That soon subsided, however, as three backhand winners snatched the momentum straight back, to the frustration of Konta’s box, which again included British actor Tom Hiddleston.

Konta saved a set point with a stunning volley but a long return gave Svitolina another chance which was taken when the Briton pushed a backhand past the baseline.

Konta’s service game has been the bedrock of her success in New York, yet she was let down by a second serve which yielded just 48% of winning points.

Remarkably, the second set followed exactly the same pattern as the opener as the pair again traded three break in Svitolina’s favour for a 4-3 lead.

Konta’s first double fault of the match indicated her growing anxiety as Svitolina threatened to end the match on the Briton’s serve, a mis-hit forehand bringing up a match point which the Ukrainian hit long.

Another overcooked backhand from Konta brought up a second opportunity, but the Briton dug deep to prolong the match with three accurate serves which Svitolina had no answer to.

Konta had already proved she could damage Svitolina’s serve, but could not break again when it mattered most.

A superb cross-court winner from Svitolina, greeted with a massive roar and a raise of both arms to urge more noise from the crowd, brought up a third match point and she sealed victory when Konta went long.

That brought another wild celebration from Svitolina towards her team and boyfriend Gael Monfils, who will aim to reach the last four of the men’s singles on Wednesday.

“Konta’s shots are very strong so you have to expect that,” Svitolina said.

“You have to react really quickly with your feet to get behind the ball, you know, try to make her hit one more shot.

“Today I did it very good to get lots of balls back and try to get my opportunity.”

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Johanna Konta had the chance to complete a full set of Grand Slam semi-final appearances, but this was not the crushing disappointment of her Wimbledon quarter-final defeat by Barbora Strycova.

Konta was beaten by a world number five who is yet to drop a set in the championships. Svitolina was just a little sharper, and a little more consistent throughout the match.

She made only 13 unforced errors, and is gradually putting the pieces in place to make her a Grand Slam champion. Svitolina’s serve is much improved, and her confidence buoyed by winning last year’s WTA Championships.

That season-ending event is now Konta’s target. She is likely to rise to 11 in the world rankings and will probably also be in 11th place in the annual race to qualify for the eight-woman field in Shenzhen.

So, she is within striking distance, but will need to play exceptionally well in Wuhan and Beijing – the two big-money WTA events coming up in China over the next month.

Tennis coach Judy Murray on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentary

That was a masterclass in consistency, court coverage, resilience.

Svitolina served well, she fought quietly. I don’t think Jo played badly, she just didn’t have the consistency to break Svitolina down.

Svitolina was just that bit better overall.

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