Del Potro: Meeting 'The Boss' like winning US Open

New York - Former champion Juan Martin del Potro reached the US Open last 16 for the sixth time on Friday but admitted meeting his rock star hero Bruce Springsteen was just as good as if he had won the Grand Slam title.

Argentine third seed Del Potro made the fourth round with a 7-5, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 win over Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco.

But meeting 'The Boss', rock legend Springsteen last week was a highlight of New York for him.

"I went to see 'Springsteen on Broadway' at the theatre and I had the honour of meeting him after the show," said Del Potro.

"He is a big idol of mine and it was just like winning the title. I hope he can come and see me play but he may be too busy," he added as he left the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court to Springsteen's classic song Born to Run.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open winner, goes on to face Borna Coric, the 20th seed from Croatia in the next round.

Coric made the fourth round of a Slam for the first time with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Russia's Daniil Medvedev.

US Open results on Friday, the fifth day of the 2018 tournament at Flushing Meadows (x denotes seeded player):

Men

Third round

Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x27) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3)

Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Guido Pella (ARG) 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4)

Dominic Thiem (AUT x9) bt Taylor Fritz (USA) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4

Kevin Anderson (RSA x5) bt Denis Shapovalov (CAN x28) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x3) bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP x31) 7-5, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3

Borna Coric (CRO x20) bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 6-3, 7-5, 6-2

John Isner (USA x11) bt Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 7-6 (10/8), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-5