Mikhail Youzhny Ends Wawrinka's Run
10 September 2010
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Mikhail Youzhny was made to dig deep to overcome Stanislas Wawrinka as he needed five sets and four hours to see off the Swiss number two.
The Russian was looking to reach the U.S. Open semi-final for the second time in his career, last made the final four back in 2006, while Wawrinka was playing in his first Grand Slam quarter final.
Once again windy conditions were something to contend with and they traded breaks in the opening two games as they tried to get use to the weather. But it was Wawrinka, who still looked in good shape despite a five setter with Sam Querrey in the fourth round, who struck for a second time.
It was the eighth game when the Swiss number two finally found a way through as Youzhny missed a back hand to give his opponent the break. That break was to be enough as Wawrinka served out the set in the next game.
The second set was a more closely fought affair as Youzhny got the break on two occasions, at 6-4 and 6-5, but was unable to capitalise as Wawrinka showed his fighting qualities to battle back to force a tie break.
And it was the Russian who had the first chance in the breaker as he squandered another set point at 7-6 but despite all the missed chances he stood firm to finally get the set under his belt at the fourth time of asking.
But Wawrinka hit back immediately in the third set as he broke Youzhny to open up a 2-0 lead and that break was all he needed as he served out the rest of the set to once again edge ahead two sets to one.
Into the fourth it was Youzhny to get the early break as he had a 2-0 lead and repeated what Wawrinka had done in the previous set as he hung onto his serve to force and fifth and deciding set.
With Wawrinka beginning to struggle, he did call the trainer on for treatment on his right leg, it was Youzhny who struck first to lead 2-0. But Wawrinka dug deep and got the break back to level at 2-2.
Back on level terms and it was Youzhny's turn to have treatment for a blister and it seemed to help as he came out to break Wawrinka again to lead 3-2.
And with that break Wawrinka had nothing left to throw at Youzhny as the Russian held his serve in the next two games before creating a third break to reach the semi's with a 3-6, 7-6(9-7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.
Speaking to the BBC after the match Youzhny said: It was tough conditions and of course you understand you can beat him; you also understand he can beat you, because it's close match.
"I just try to play every point. I try not to think about you can do it or not. But, you know, after one-all in sets it was like another match, and both players can win."
Youzhny will now face world number one Rafa Nadal for a spot in the final as the Spaniard saw off Fernando Verdasco 7-5 6-3 6-4. The second semi final is a repeat of last year's match as Roger Federer will face Novak Djokovic.
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