Rafael Nadal cruises to US Open semis

Spanish third seed Rafael Nadal, trying to complete a career Grand Slam, advanced to the US Open semi-finals on Saturday by defeating Chilean 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-0.

Spanish third seed Rafael Nadal, trying to complete a career Grand Slam, advanced to the US Open semi-finals on Saturday by defeating Chilean 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-0.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, who led when rain stopped play on Friday, will play for a berth in the final against Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro, who ousted Croatian 16th seed Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. Five-time defending champion Roger Federer, the Swiss world number one seeking to stretch his record total of Grand Slam titles to 16, will play Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic in Sunday's other semi-final.

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates match point against Chile's Fernando Gonzalez on Saturday

Nadal, who beat Gonzalez in last year's Beijing Olympic final, matched his best US Open run from last year by taking a sixth consecutive victory over Gonzalez in a rivalry he leads 7-3.

"I'm in the semi-finals for the second time in my life at the US Open," Nadal said. "It was a very important result for me."

Nadal was bothered by a nagging abdominal muscle strain on Friday but seized a 7-6 (7/4), 6-6 (3/2) lead when rain halted the match. Showers washed out all play on Friday, giving Nadal extra time to recover.

"Yeah, lucky for me. It was important to have one day off for me to be well," Nadal said.

The waiting set up a dramatic Saturday return to Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the tension faded fast.

Gonzalez dropped the second set by losing the first four points after the resumption, sending one forehand wide, two more long and netting a backhand to give the Spanish left-hander command of the match.

"It was difficult. To start in a tie-break is a lottery. Anything can happen," Nadal said. "Lucky for me I won the first four points. That was decisive in the match."