Djokovic faces Cilic

Novak Djokovic brushed off the challenge of Spain's Feliciano Lopez to reach his ninth consecutive US Open semi-final. Djokovic has only lifted the title once at Flushing Meadows in that time but the top seed remains on course to improve his tally after beating Lopez 6-1 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7/2).

Lopez threatened a comeback after clinching the second set but the world number 19 made too many unforced errors - 48 to Djokovic's 17 - and the Serb held on to go through.

Djokovic will now face defending champion Marin Cilic, who outlasted France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five sets and beat Roger Federer in the final last year.

Cilic has a miserable record against Djokovic, having never beaten the world number one in 13 attempts, but the Croat feels at home in New York after 12 consecutive victories here.

Five-time champion Roger Federer will in the other semi-final clash play close friend Stan Wawrinka for his 10th New York semi-final and 20th career clash against his compatriot. — AP