Hewitt's back on form

David Nalbandian is convinced he has the Indian Sign over Roger Federer after his 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in their fourthround clash at the US Open.

Federer was aiming for his first victory against the Argentinian, who also beat him in the junior final at Flushing Meadows in 1998.

"He's a very good player," Nalbandian said. "But I knew him five or six years ago, when we were juniors. I think I know him."

It was their second meeting in a Grand Slam - Nalbandian won a fivesetter in the fourth round at the Australian Open.

Federer, who made 62 unforced errors, will go back to the drawing board. He said: "I don't know what to comment on this because I'm trying to figure out how to beat him. I've never felt I had a great day playing against him."

Nalbandian will next come up against Younes El Aynaoui, the 22nd seed from Morocco, who claimed his place in the quarterfinals with a 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 triumph over Spain's Carlos Moya.

Another Spaniard, French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, had his work cut out to beat American Todd Martin 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3.

Guillermo Coria won 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 against Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman and will meet top seed Andre Agassi in the quarter-finals later today.

Sixth seed Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 champion, completed a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan.

The women also managed to make up for lost time after three days of rain interruptions. Top seed Kim Clijsters cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Amelie Mauresmo and will now face Lindsay Davenport, who brushed aside Argentina's Paola Suarez 6-4, 6-0 to reach the semis.

Second seed Justine Henin-Hardenne and Jennifer Capriati set up another Belgium-US semifinal. Henin-Hardenne posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Russian seventh seed Anastasia Myskina while Capriati defeated Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-3.