Nadal stunned by Youzhny in quarters

NEW YORK, Sep 7 (Reuters) Second seed Rafael Nadal will have to wait another year at least for his first US Open title after he was stunned 6-3 5-7 7-6 6-1 by Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the quarter-finals yesterday.

The Spaniard, who won the French Open title and reached the final at Wimbledon, was outplayed by an inspired Youzhny, who reached his first ever grand slam semi-final.

''I just can't believe what I did, beating Rafa in four sets,'' Youzhny said, after a unique salute to all four corners of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

''It was a very tough match. Rafa was the favourite and he was the fans' favourite - I understand that, but during the match you changed your opinion a little, so thank you,'' Youzhny told the crowd.

Using the angles to open up the court and dominating Nadal from the baseline, world number 54 Youzhny smashed 49 winners to his opponent's 23 to set up a meeting with either Andy Roddick or Lleyton Hewitt.

After dropping the first set, Nadal had three set points to lead two sets to one but Youzhny saved them all, won the tiebreak and then ripped through the fourth set to clinch one of the best victories of his career.

REUTERS DH PM0501