New York: David Ferrer battled his way into the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday with a hard-fought 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(3) win over Serbia`s Janko Tipsarevic.

Ferrer, seeded fourth, retained his composure after dropping the second set to win a gruelling slugfest that took nearly four hours to complete after being moved to one of the smaller showcourts because of a lengthy rain delay.

The tenacious Ferrer became the second Spaniard to reach the men`s quarter-finals on Monday, joining Tommy Robredo who had upset former world number one Roger Federer.

Another Spaniard, Rafa Nadal, was also playing Monday, in the night session.

Ferrer`s next opponent will be either French eighth seed Richard Gasquet or Canada`s Milos Raonic.

Although Ferrer has not won a grand slam, the 31-year-old baseliner has proven himself to be one of the most consistent players on tour.

He has reached the quarter-finals or better at each of the last eight majors and was a finalist at the French Open in June.

Reuters