Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the 2018 US Open men's quarter final between reigning champion, Rafael Nadal and Austrian No. 9 seed Dominic Thiem.

Few can match Nadal's will to win. What a competitor.

Two gladiators show their respect.

The defending champion somehow finds a way after a four hour and 48 minute five-set epic. It was a rollercoaster affair where Rafa struggled to live with the Austrian when he was firing on all cylinders. The Spaniard dug deep and battled throughout, and in the end it could have gone either way. Rafa will now meet Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi finals on Friday.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! - NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 7-6 THIEM. It's all over! Nadal makes Thiem play the overhead and he smashes it off court! The world No.1 takes the TB 7-5 and moves into the semi finals! Wow, serious drama to conclude a classic encounter.

TB LATEST: It's 6-5 to Nadal and match point. Domi to serve...

TB LATEST: It's 5-4 to Thiem as Nadal fires a backhand just long of the baseline. Two vital serves for Rafa coming up...

TB LATEST: It's 3-3 at the change of ends as Thiem angles a pick-up shot to somehow get Nadal's drop shot.

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 6-6 THIEM. This titanic tussle will be decided by a fifth-set tie break as Nadal holds to love. Tense stuff lies ahead. Will Thiem run away with it again or can Rafa find a way?

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 5-6 THIEM. The Austrian flashes a wild one-handed backhand way long and then double faults to gift Nadal triple break point. He saves two with a big serve and an ace before Rafa wastes a good look at a second serve. Nadal then defends manfully with some 'up and unders' and almost passes Domi, who somehow stretches to nudge the ball over the net and win arguably the point of the match. Thiem lands a big serve to finish and is guaranteed the minimum of a tie break. Nadal must once again hold to stay in the tournament after seeing a major opportunity at triple break point go begging.

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 5-5 THIEM. That's really strong nerves from Nadal. He miscues a forehand for 0-15 but rallies to level with a stylish hold for the loss of that one point.

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 4-5 THIEM. Rafa wins the opening point and screams 'Vamos' to the crowd. It doesn't seem to affect Thiem who surges back by unleashing more power. A blistering crosscourt backhand winner puts him firmly in control and the Austrian holds to 30 with a 17th ace of the match. Nadal must now hold to stay in the tournament.

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 4-4 THIEM. Nadal races 40-0 to the good but can only watch as Thiem claims the point of the game with a forehand winner up the line on the run. Rafa then hooks an awkward forehand wide but avoids a face-off at deuce when Thiem swings the backhand just long.

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 3-4 THIEM. Nadal tries t up the ante with a devilish drop shot to make 30-30. The Spaniard moves to the net but can't block Domi's driven, low pass over the net. The Austrian keeps his nose in front as we enter the business end of the match. Any slip now would surely be curtains. Scoreboard pressure on Rafa...

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 3-3 THIEM. At 15-15 and 30-30 Nadal crunches replica crosscourt forehand winners to maintain the initiative before edging through another hold.

NADAL 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 2-3 THIEM. Nadal has a real look-in at 15-40 when Thiem unloads the crosscourt forehand just wide. However, the Austrian rallies with two huge forehands, an ace and a hefty serve to conclude. The signs are looking good for the No.9 seed. Nadal is a fighter and can never be ruled out, but there's something about Thiem's spirit tonight/this morning.