Just call David Ferrer the new Mikhail Youzhny. The Spaniard pulled a Youzhny-like upset at the US Open on Wednesday morning, sending second-seeded Rafael Nadal out of the tournament in four sets.

It was a disappointing loss for Nadal, who had advanced to the finals of both the French and Wimbledon and had hopes of making a run to his first-ever US Open title. His countryman Ferrer had a different idea, however, running down every ball Nadal sent to him and taking the match 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Last year, it was Youzhny who pulled a similar upset over Nadal, beating the French champ in the fourth round and making his way to the semi-finals before losing to Andy Roddick. While Youzhny crashed out in the second round this year, Ferrer has built on a strong summer in which he's had wins over Roddick, Nicolas Almagro, John Isner (twice) and Radek Stepanek. But none of those wins could compare to the 15th-seed's win over Nadal.

'Ferrer has now won as many matches this year - four - as he ever has at the US Open, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time'

The draw now opens up a bit for Novak Djokovic, who faces another Spaniard - Carlos Moya - in the quarter-finals. It was Ferrer's persistent speed, consistency and determination that was the downfall of Nadal, who has been battling tendinitis in his knees throughout the summer. Ferrer finished the match with 48 winners and 38 unforced errors.

Ferrer has now won as many matches this year - four - as he ever has at the US Open, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time. His match-up with fellow clay-courter Juan Ignacio Chela would be more suiting for the courts of Roland Garros, but they play for the right in the US Open semi-finals, and a shot for their first Grand Slam title each.

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