The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, New York

Rafael Nadal withstood his first test at this U.S. Open, shifting into another gear to beat Sam Querrey 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Monday and match his best result at the tournament that's always bedeviled him.

Playing for the sixth year at Flushing Meadows, the No. 1-ranked Nadal rallied to reach the quarterfinals. He got quite a workout - and a scare - from his unseeded, 20-year-old American opponent.

"Very tough," Nadal said. "Sam is a big player, a big server. He has a great future."

Down 6-5 in the third set, Nadal suddenly flashed the form that won at Wimbledon, the French Open and the Olympics. Hitting harder, grunting louder and moving in closer, he quickly forced a tiebreaker and leaped to celebrate.

Nadal won the final four points to take the tiebreaker and later served out the match.

Nadal next plays another unseeded American, Mardy Fish, who reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open for the first time with a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 32 Gael Monfils.

Also advancing was No. 17 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, who ended the run of Kei Nishikori, the first Japanese man to reach the U.S. Open's fourth round in the 40-year Open era. Del Potro won the contest between teenagers 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 for his 23rd consecutive victory.

Del Potro will face No. 6 Andy Murray of Britain, who beat 10th-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.Tempers flared when the two played in Rome in May.

Murray claimed del Potro insulted his mother during a first-round match. Judy Murray provided vocal support for her son from the stands.

Del Potro nearly hit Murray in the head with a ball in the second set. The Argentine retired while trailing 5-7, 6-4, 1-0.

Murray was asked Monday if he was surprised del Potro hadn't tried to clear the air.

"I've known him since we were really young," Murray said.

"Doesn't really bother me. I wasn't great friends with him before. I don't need to be friends with him now. "So, no, I'm not surprised."

Venus and Serena Williams set up yet another Grand Slam family reunion. Two months after meeting in the Wimbledon final, this time they square off in the quarterfinals.