US Open: Kevin Anderson edges Sam Querrey in four hard fought sets to reach maiden Grand Slam semifinal

South Africa's Kevin Anderson made it to his first ever Grand Slam semifinal at age 31, clinching a tightly fought four set quarterfinal against America's Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-3, 7-6 (7) at the US Open on Wednesday.

The 28th seed Anderson won the battle of the big servers by hitting 22 aces in front of a sparse crowded Arthur Ashe Stadium. "Getting through-it just feels absolutely fantastic," Anderson said.

Anderson trailed 5-2 in the opening tiebreaker before collecting the next five points to claim it. He fought back from a 6-1 deficit in the second tiebreaker to move within a point of winning it himself at 8-7, before eventually succumbing on Querrey's eighth set point."That," Anderson said, "was really tough."

Querrey was attempting to become the first American man to reach the final four at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick was the runner-up in 2006.

Querrey, a 29-year-old from California, had never been a semifinalist at a major until his 42nd appearance, at Wimbledon in July. That set a record for most attempts by a man before getting that far in the Open era, which began in 1968.

In Friday's semifinals, Anderson will take on 12th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain. The winner of that semis will reach his first Grand Slam final. Carreno Busta advanced Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over No. 29 Diego Schwartzman of Argentina.