US Open: Nadal thrashes Robredo

Robredo had beaten Brit Dan Evans and 17-times grand slam champion Roger Federer en route to the last eight.

However he was completely blown away as Nadal stormed to a 6-0 6-2 6-2 victory.

Robredo, who managed only one set in six previous meetings with Nadal, won only five points in a first set that lasted just 22 minutes.

There was a huge cheer from the night crowd on Arthur Ashe when Robredo finally won a game in the second set, but by that stage he was already 2-0 down.

Nadal has not had his serve broken all tournament and Robredo could not put him under any real pressure.

As soon as Nadal broke in the fifth game of the third set the match was as good as over, although to his credit Robredo did not stop fighting.

The victory took Nadal's record on hard courts this year to 20 wins and no defeats, and he will be a big favourite to defeat Richard Gasquet in the semi-finals.

Nadal, who will now take on Richard Gasquet, said: "I'm happy. I think I played my best match of the US Open. I'm playing a little bit better every day and it's a great year. I'm very happy to be in the semi-finals. I want to enjoy every moment."

Nadal is expecting Gasquet, who beat another Spaniard in the form of David Ferrer in five sets, to pose a tougher test.

"I expect him to be very good," he said. "He's playing a great tournament. Two great wins against Milos Raonic and now against David.

"It's great for his confidence. Five-set victories against tough opponents, that's brilliant for him. He will come to the match with good confidence.

"I need to keep playing my aggressive style. If I keep having the feeling of today, I hope to have my chances.

"He's a nice guy, one of the players on the tour that I feel close to because we are from the same age. We always had a good feeling.

"So it's great to see a player like Richard, who I grew up with playing together as kids, reaching the semi-finals of the US Open."