Steep hill

Richard Gasquet of France celebrates a point against David Ferrer of Spain at the US Open tennis championships in New York, Sept 4, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Eighth-seeded Gasquet booked his long awaited return to the last four of a men's Slam with a 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 upset of fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain.

It was the second successive five-setter for the 27-year-old Gasquet, who clinched the concluding set of a marathon fourth-round match against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5.

Gasquet had lost eight of nine previous matches against Ferrer. The hill could be even steeper against Nadal, who has won all 10 of their professional encounters.

"Rafa, I never beat. Last time I beat him I was 13-years-old," said Gasquet. "That was the only time I beat him. He's a good friend of mine. I have nothing to lose."

Playing in just the second Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career, 27-year-old Gasquet went all out against Ferrer, using his trademark one-handed backhand to near perfection as he closed him out in three hours and 23 minutes.

Gasquet broke the Spaniard, a model of consistency with trips to the quarters or better in the last eight slams, on a double fault at break point for a 4-2 lead in the fifth set.

He ended it with a bristling forehand for his 52nd winner.

"I was a little nervous about getting into the semis at the US Open, but I did it. Was a big win for me," Gasquet said.\