Stan Wawrinka downs tearful Juan Martin del Potro in four to make semi-final

Del Potro secured a surprise win over Wawrinka in the second round of Wimbledon but there was to be no repeat as the Swiss completed a 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory as the clock ticked over to 01:20 in the New York morning.

The pair exchanged breaks in a tight opening set that Wawrinka edged on an equally competitive tie break before the big Argentine levelled things up at a set apiece after gaining the decisive break at 3-3 in the second set.

Wawrinka made the crucial break at 4-3 in the third, a single break again proving decisive in another tight set of the very highest quality with some of the most ferocious power hitting yet seen in the tournament.

The loss of the third set seemed to take the wind out of del Potro’s sails and Wawrinka cruised through the fourth set 6-2 to book his semi-final showdown with Andy Murray’s conqueror.

As del Potro went out for the last game, the fans that had remained as the clock moved past 1:00 am serenaded him and the big Argentine wiped away tears as "Ole, ole, ole, ole, Delpo, Delpo," rained down from the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands.

"Something difficult to describe with words," del Potro, who is ranked 142 and given a wild card into the event, told reporters about the salute.

"I can lose the match, but I will never forget this. It's bigger than a win in any match."