TENNIS

US Open 2019

Italian 24th seed Matteo Berrettini edged a thrilling five-set match against Gael Monfils to reach a first grand slam semi-final at the US Open Tennis Tournament.

Frenchman Monfils, 33, had gone a set and a break up as his bid to reach a first US Open semi-final since 2016.

Initially unable to settle, Berrettini gained in confidence and battled back to win 12 of the next 16 games and move a set from victory.

In a gripping conclusion, the 23-year-old squandered four match points but held his nerve in a dramatic tie-break.

He eventually won 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 7-6 in three hours and 57 minutes.