David Ferrer achieved the biggest victory of a big year last night, eliminating second-ranked Rafael Nadal from the US Open 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 in a 3½-hour match that lasted until nearly 2am. Ferrer's energy wore down Nadal, whose left-knee tendinitis had required daily laser treatment since the tournament began.
Ferrer also defeated world no. 5 Andy Roddick earlier this year in Cincinnati. He improved to 1-4 against his good friend Nadal and said, "Now I am very tired. To beat Rafa, I have to run a lot. I’m sorry for that, for my friend, for my partner, Rafa." He'll take on Juan Ignacio Chela in the quarters. (More US Open Tennis stories.)