US Open 2018: Juan Martin del Potro overcomes John Isner to reach semi-finals

Former champion Juan Martin del Potro reached his second successive US Open semi-final with a hard-earned 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win over John Isner.

World number 11 Isner took the opening set on a tie-break before the world number three levelled following a break in the fourth game of the second set.

The Argentine won the next tie-break and then broke in the second game of the fourth set en route to victory.

The 2009 champion will face Rafael Nadal or Dominic Thiem on Friday.

The 29-year-old said his serves, which often matched Isner's for pace, were his biggest weapon on a physically punishing day of 32C and high humidity inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I'm so happy to reach another semi-final in my favourite tournament that is very special to me," he said.

"Beating John in these kind of matches - it's epic. We were both tired in the end and I survived with my serves during the match."

As a result of the conditions, the players made the most of the extreme heat policy by taking the allocated 10-minute break between the third and fourth sets.

Del Potro joked: "During that time I had a shower, re-taped my ankles and lay down on table - I didn't want to come back again."

Isner got through 11 shirts and estimated he lost between eight and 10 pounds through sweating.

"It's tough conditions out there, no doubt," said the American. "It's very humid. The air is pretty still for whatever reason. Maybe it's the roof structure."

The Argentine made the first big mistake of the match when he conceded a mini-break at 3-2 during the first set tie-break.

Isner went on to take the set, but Del Potro bounced back as his opponent made an error on the second of three break points in the fourth game.

Both players had two chances each to break serve in the third set which was eventually decided by another tie-break, which Del Potro won.

The players decided to take the option of a 10-minute interval, but neither looked to have benefitted much on the resumption of play.

The crucial break of the three-hour-30-minute contest came in Isner's opening service game of the fourth as Del Potro delivered a flat double-handed backhand which was too good for the American.

Del Potro sealed victory in the eighth game when Isner snatched at a shot near the net.