Published: September 04, 2008 07:03 am         

Nadal comes back after losing 1st set to beat Fish

NEW YORK (AP) — It sure took a while, but Rafael Nadal is a U.S. Open semifinalist.

The No. 1-ranked Nadal beat unseeded American Mardy Fish 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, getting past the quarterfinals for the first time in six trips to Flushing Meadows with a victory that ended with the scoreboard showing 2:10 a.m. Thursday, making it the third-latest finish in tournament history.

“This is one of the things that we players discuss all the time. There should be a limit on when to start. But we know that the TV rules in this,” Nadal said.

“I think I’m going to end up sleeping at 5 a.m. I’ve got to go eat. With all the attention on the match, it takes a while to unwind. There’s nothing else you can do.”

Fish took the opening set on the strength of a 23-6 edge in winners, some gutsy serving and one service break. But Nadal never faced a break point the rest of the way.

They approached the latest finish in the tournament’s history — Mats Wilander defeated Mikael Pernfors at 2:26 a.m. in 1993.

“It’s not ideal starting that late, but I was ready,” Fish said. “The first set couldn’t have gone better for me.”

Nadal, who has won four titles at the French Open and one at Wimbledon, now will face first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Andy Murray. The No. 6 seed beat No. 17 Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (2), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 7-5.