Nadal reaches quarters with win over Novak

NEW YORK, Sep 4 (Reuters) French Open champion Rafael Nadal reached the US Open quarter-final for the first time by sweeping past Czech Jiri Novak 6-1 7-6 6-4 today.

The second-seeded Nadal blasted in 46 winners, more than double the number registered by 31-year-old Novak, in the two hour 10-minute victory in windy conditions on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 20-year-old Spaniard, the last left hander remaining in the men's draw, stayed on course for a possible showdown in the final with world number one Roger Federer.

The Swiss beat Nadal in the Wimbledon final, while the world number two had beaten Federer in the Roland Garros climax.

Nadal, bidding to become the first man to add the US title to a French Open crown in the same season since Andre Agassi in 1999, will next meet Russian Mikhail Youzhny, who upset sixth-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo in straight sets.

REUTERS DH PM0102