Federer finds it tough against Nalbandian

The stocky 21-year-old has now beaten Federer all five times they have met on the Tour — three times this year and twice in 2002.

“I guess I am struggling against him,” Federer smiled wryly. “I don’t know what to comment on this. I am trying to figure out how to beat him. He likes my game, that’s all I can say about it.”

Thirteenth seed Nalbandian, a finalist at Wimbledon last year, was also at a loss to explain his hold over the stylish Swiss player.

“I like playing against him, what can I say?” he laughed. “I like his game… I don’t know exactly why.”

Clijsters reached her first U.S. Open semi-final with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-4 victory over France’s Amelie Mauresmo.

The Belgian will face former champion and third seed Lindsay Davenport for a place in Saturday’s final after the American ousted Argentine Paola Suarez 6-4, 6-0.

“It’s definitely a great feeling,” Clijsters grinned.

Her long-term boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt underlined his revival in form, beating Thai Paradorn Srichaphan 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

The 2001 U.S. Open champion has endured a poor Grand Slam year and this result gave him his best run at a major in 2003.

“It took me a few games to get into it but then I really started working it well,” Hewitt said.

He next plays third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Spaniard beat American Todd Martin 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3.

Federer, who also lost to Nalbandian in the final of the junior event here in 1998, slowly lost his way on a dank centre court, bowing out in two hours 50 minutes.

Nalbandian allowed his opponent to punch himself out before thrashing the heavy tennis balls all over the court to reach his first U.S. Open quarter-final.

In the last eight he will face crowd favourite Younes El Aynaoui. The Moroccan, who is developing a cult following in New York, reached his second straight U.S. Open quarter-final by bouncing former world No.1 Carlos Moya 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.

The 31-year-old cradled his racket and rocked it like a baby after striking a winning backhand on match point — a reference to the birth of his third son earlier this month.

Grim conditions had once again greeted players and tennis fans when they arrived at a water-logged National Tennis Center.

But the rains finally cleared and gave organisers a glimmer of hope of finishing the tournament this weekend on schedule. (Reuters)