US Open: Novak Djokovic gets past del Potro to reach semis

New York: Defending champion Novak Djokovic beat 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Thursday to reach the semifinals at a 10th consecutive Grand Slam tournament.

The showcase matchup was compelling throughout, and closer than the scoreline indicated. The thrilling second set lasted 84 minutes — 11 more than Djokovic`s entire first-round victory last week. The second-seeded Serb will face fourth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain on Saturday. Ferrer advanced to his fourth career major semifinal by using his high-energy brand of leg-churning, ball-chasing tennis to outlast eighth-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-3, 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in 4 hours, 31 minutes. Agencies