Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal and two-time winner Novak Djokovic are one victory away from renewing their rivalry, with both expected to get through their semi-finals on Friday.
World number one Nadal faces big-serving Argentine third seed Juan Martin del Potro, while sixth seed Djokovic meets Japanese 21st seed Kei Nishikori.
Nadal, who survived a gruelling late-night battle with Austrian Dominic Thiem in punishing humidity to reach the last four, has a commanding 11-5 career record against Del Potro.
"He (Del Potro) is a great player everywhere. But the challenge of playing him on hard (courts) of course is even higher for me personally than playing against him on clay," said Nadal, who has won the US Open three times.
"It will be a big challenge. It's a match in which we know each other very well. I know he's playing well. I know I'll have to play at my highest level to keep having chances of success."
In Friday's other semi-final, Djokovic will try to extend the form that has guided him to win 24 of his last 26 matches, an impressive run that includes titles at Wimbledon and the US Open tune-up event in Cincinnati.
He has a 14-2 record against Nishikori, whose last victory over the Serb came in the 2014 US Open semi-finals.
Djokovic, who beat Nishikori in the Wimbledon quarters, said he expected a tough match against an opponent with a lethal two-handed backhand who is one of the fastest players on tour.
"I can't really say he's a great match-up for me," said the Serb. "I have a very good head-to-head score against him.
"But because he plays so fast he makes me more alert from the first point because I know I have to be at my best in order to compete with him from the baseline."
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