Hewitt edges into last four

Defending champion Lleyton Hewitt found top gear when he needed it and got past Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui to reach the US Open semi-finals.

The Aussie world number one took four sets to advance after being pegged back by the impressive El Aynaoui, who took his own foot off the accelerator just as he was getting up to speed.

Hewitt won 6-1 7-6 (8/6) 4-6 6-2.

He had to save a set point before winning the second set in a tie-breaker and go 2-0 ahead, but that provided an opportunity for El Aynaoui to show his mettle.

He broke the Australian in the vital 10th game of the third set and clawed back the deficit to 2-1.

Hewitt had plenty to think about as he returned to his chair but stepped up his performance in the fourth set to wrap up the match.

The result means he faces a semi-final against former champion Andre Agassi.

Agassi had to overcame an impressive challenge from Max Mirnyi 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 7-5 6-3, but was able to produce some of his trademark passing shots and winners to thoroughly deserve his victory.

Mirnyi set out his stall early, relying on his powerful serve – his average first serve speed was 18mph faster than Agassi’s – and then getting to the net quickly.

That paid dividends early, as the Belarussian’s enormous frame proved difficult for Agassi to beat at the net.

As a consequence, Mirnyi was able to out-muscle the American and take the first set.

But in the second set, Agassi lifted his game in every respect.

His famous returns of serve began to cause problems and his passing shots started finding the corners beyond Mirnyi’s reach.

He put the seal on the second set with a superb, instinctive forehand winner that was a preview of the tone of things to come.

Whatever Mirnyi tried from then on, Agassi usually had an answer – including some quite brilliant backhand winners.

By the time he had closed out the third set with a barrage of such shots, it was clear he was on course for a seventh appearance in the US Open semi-finals and he did not falter with a compelling fourth set.