Number 21 seed Mikhail Youzhny is through to the quarter-finals of the US Open after defeating Lleyton Hewitt in five sets.

The Russian began the match in confident fashion, despite being broken by the Aussie, as he proved to be clinical in crucial moments taking both break points presented to him, taking the first set 6-3.

Hewitt responded with some outstanding tennis in the second as he knocked the 31-year-old out of his rhythm. The two-time Grand Slam winner used his skill at the net to great effect as he claimed the set 6-3.

The 32-year-old used this momentum in an even third set as he won the crucial points when it mattered the most, as the game went to a tie-break, which the Aussie claimed 7-3, winning the set 7-6.

Youzhny showed determination to bounce back as he powered his way to earning two crucial breaks in the fourth, which allowed him to get back into the match taking the set 6-4.

Both men showed signs of fatigue in the final set as both struggled on serve.

However it was the Russian who battled through and avoided costly errors as he broke Hewitt at the vital moment to take the set 7-5 and earn a place in the last eight.