NEW YORK — It sure took a while, but Rafael Nadal is a U.S. Open semifinalist.

The No. 1-ranked Nadal beat unseeded American Mardy Fish 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, getting past the quarterfinals for the first time in six trips to Flushing Meadows with a victory that ended with the scoreboard showing 2:10 a.m. today, making it the third-latest finish in tournament history.

"This is one of the things that we players discuss all the time. There should be a limit on when to start. But we know that the TV rules in this," Nadal said.

"I think I'm going to end up sleeping at 5 a.m. I've got to go eat. With all the attention on the match, it takes a while to unwind. There's nothing else you can do."

Fish took the opening set on the strength of a 23-6 edge in winners, some gutsy serving and one service break. But Nadal never faced a break point the rest of the way.

They approached the latest finish in the tournament's history: Mats Wilander beat Mikael Pernfors at 2:26 a.m. in 1993.

Nadal, who has won four titles at the French Open and one at Wimbledon, now will face first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Andy Murray. The No. 6 seed beat No. 17 Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (2), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 7-5.