Nadal reaches US Open semis for first time

Stung by dropping the first set to an unseeded opponent, top-seeded Rafael Nadal swept imperiously through the next three to beat Mardy Fish on Wednesday and reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open for the first time.

Forced to wait until 11.30pm local time for his match to start, and surprised by the spirited start by the American in front of his home crowd, Nadal dominated thereafter to set up a semifinal against Andy Murray of Britain.

"This is one of the things that we players discuss all the time. There should be a limit on when to start. But we know that the TV rules in this," Nadal said.

"I think I'm going to end up sleeping …