NEW YORK (USA): Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain outlasted Denis Shapovalov despite losing a bagel fourth set to move into US Open semifinals on Tuesday.
The 20th seed overcame his 12th-seeded opponent 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 0-6, 6-3 in 4hr 8min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In just the fourth of 18 Ashe evening matches that was not decided in straight sets, it was a topsy-turvy affair that ended at 1:06 a.m., the latest finish of the fortnight.
Shapovalov won 52 of 70 net points in a losing effort.
“I’m destroyed, but I’m very, very happy after this fight, this battle,” said Carreno Busta, who was a US Open semi-finalist in 2017.
He said it was “incredible” to be back in the last-four again after working “very, very hard” with his coach during the quarantine shutdown.
Carreno Busta will meet Zverev in semis
Carreno Busta will meet German Alexander Zverev in the semifinal on Friday after the German overcame No. 27 seed Borna Coric to advance to his second consecutive major semifinal.
The 23-year-old German prevailed 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 in 3hr 25min.
He began playing more aggressively after finding himself a set down, and 4-2 behind in the second set.
“I thought to myself I’m down 6-1, 4-2, I have nothing to lose at the moment,” Zverev.
