NEW YORK - Three-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in the men's singles quarterfinals of the US Open on Wednesday and will take on Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the semifinals.

The No 20 seed Schwartzman put up firm resistance against Nadal and twice fought back from double-break deficits in the first two sets, but the Spaniard found another gear at crucial moments to secure the victory after two hours and 47 minutes' battle.

"Straight sets but big challenges especially after the first two sets, having 4-0 and 5-1 and losing both breaks in a row, but I know how good he is when he's confident," Nadal said.

"I'm so happy how I accepted the situation and challenge and kept going, point after point. Here I am in the semifinals. I'm super happy, it means everything."

In the semifinals, the Spaniard faces Berrettini, who beat Frenchman Gael Monfils 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) over three hours and 56 minutes in another quarterfinal.

On the women's side, Swiss Belinda Bencic reached her maiden semifinals at the majors with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win against Donna Vekic of Croatia. Bencic will next face the 15th-seeded Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu who rallied to beat Elise Mertens of Belgium 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

The women's semis will be held on Thursday, with six-time winner Serena Williams of the United States meeting fifth seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the other match.