Nadal ready for Lopez test in all-Spanish affair on Arthur Ashe

With Andy Murray out of the competition, Rafael Nadal’s half of the draw is looking rather unproblematic as he searches out his first US Open title.

So far Nadal has kept himself out of the spotlight with some uninspiring wins in three trouble-free rounds, but will face a stiffer test in his fellow countryman Feliciano Lopez – Nadal lost to Lopez the last time these two met in June.

Lopez is a generous 15/2 and will be fresh for the game after his third round opponent, Sergiy Stakhovsky, retired hurt in the second set with Lopez leading 4-0 and in command of the match.

Rafael Nadal is yet to hit his peak form on the hard courts this year, with many writing off his chances, he was third in the betting behind Federer and Murray until the Brit was knocked out, but is now 11/8 to triumph in Flushing Meadows.

The man from Mallorca didn’t progress further than the first round in his last two hard court tournaments but holds a 5-2 head-to-head record over Lopez and is a strong 20/1 to win.

Matches between Nadal and Lopez are usually over pretty quickly, the loser hasn’t won a set in their last six meetings, and Nadal is 4/11 to win 3-0.

Stanislav Wawrinka will be in confident mood ahead of his tie with American Sam Querrey, but Murray’s conqueror will have to face a battle with the crowd as they seek an American champion.

Both men have been in impressive form dropping just the one set over the three rounds, and both are backable at 5/6, but Querrey may just have the edge in front of his home support and is 9/2 to take the match in five sets.

Fernando Verdasco takes on David Ferrer in another all-Spanish affair and just edges favouritism at 8/11. See the full US Open tennis betting market here.