Nadal through to semi-finals

(GETTY IMAGES)

World number one Rafael Nadal set up a US Open semi-final clash with Andy Murray by defeating Mardy Fish 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2.

Nadal has without question been the best player in tennis this year and last month overtook Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings, ending the Swiss star's four-and-a-half-year reign at number one.

The five-time grand slam champion earned that honour just a day after claiming his first gold medal at the Olympics, which marked his ATP-leading eighth title of the year.

Nadal went into this quarter-final clash against Fish having never lost to the American but suffered a setback when he lost the first set 6-3.

That proved to be the only blip for the 22-year-old, however, as he took the next two sets and in the seventh game of the fourth set broke Fish's serve to go 5-2 ahead.

He then closed out the match to secure a place in the last four where he will meet Murray, who Nadal defeated at the quarter-final stage at Wimbledon earlier this year.