Nadal to face Thiem in quarterfinals; Stephens cruises through

NEW YORK CITY: World No 1 Rafael Nadal has set up an intriguing quarterfinal showdown with Dominic Thiem after snuffing out a comeback attempt by Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili at the US Open yesterday.

The topseeded Spaniard looked as if he would cruise to an easy win after pocketing the first two sets but the Georgian stepped up his game to take the third set.

The defending US Open champion would not be denied and fired his seventh ace on match point to end the threehour, 20minute tussle 63, 63, 67 (68), 64.

‘‘Two matches in the row that were very tough ones,’’ Nadal, who had to battle back against Russian Karen Khachanov two days ago, said.

Nadal praised the 26yearold Basilashvili, who will break into the top 30 for the first time when the next rankings are released after the tournament.

‘‘He played fantastic. A lot of credit to him. He was playing great, hitting the ball very, very strong,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m very happy to be through.’’ Nadal’s next assignment is a rematch of June’s French Open final, in which he crushed Thiem in straight sets to win his 17th major.

The Austrian ninth seed booked his place in the last eight by eliminating last year’s runnerup Kevin Anderson 75, 62, 76 (72).

Thiem neutralised 203cm Anderson’s blistering serve by standing far beyond the baseline and he chased down everything the South African player could throw at him.

He played a near flawless match, dropping just four points on his first serve and firing 42 winners.

‘‘One of my best matches ever,’’ Thiem said courtside of his dazzling performance.

John Isner had just defeated Milos Raonic 36, 63, 64, 36, 62 to clinch his first US Open quarterfinal berth since 2011 when his thoughts flashed to someone who was not at the stadium to celebrate: his wife, Maddie. She was home, expecting the couple’s first child.

The 11thseeded Isner hoped he had another big delivery up first — a US Open championship. ‘‘Why not me?’’ Isner said. With his booming serve leading the way, why not indeed?

Isner will play 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro next, after the Argentine third seed pounded 18 forehand winners past Borna Coric in a 64, 63, 61 victory.

The Croatian needed a medical time out in the second set and was then blown away by Del Potro, who was lifted by the rowdy support of a group of his friends who had travelled from his hometown, Tandil, to cheer him on.

In the women’s singles, defend ing champion Sloane Stephens eased into the quarterfinals with a 63, 63 victory over Belgian Elise Mertens.

Stephens, who has not dropped a set in four matches at Flushing Meadows this year, lost to Mertens at the Cincinnati warmup last month but was never in danger of suffering a repeat as she wrapped up the win in one hour and 26 minutes.

The American struck 17 winners and controlled play from the baseline, ran relentlessly to extend the points, dominated in the longer rallies and was also helped by her opponent’s struggles on serve. ‘‘Sometimes it doesn’t have to be the best shot, but making them play another shot, you might get another opportunity. I worked really hard on that.’’

Next up for Stephens, who at No 3 is the highest seed left in the women’s draw, is a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal against Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.

‘‘I think it will be a good match,’’ Stephens added.

‘‘Hoping to just get out there and kind of execute the same game plan. Quarterfinals of a Grand Slam is always really tough. It’s a big opportunity for both of us.’’