2012 U.S. Open Tennis Scores: David Ferrer Outlasts Tipsarevic In Classic

Spain's David Ferrer outlasted the stingy Janko Tipsarevic on Thursday in a five-set match that ranks among the best back-and-forth contests of the 2012 U.S. Open.

The No. 4 seed Ferrer won 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) against No. 8 Tipsarevic at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., as the Serbian injured himself down the stretch of a four-hour, 31-minute classic.

Ferrer got the best of Tipsarevic in the first set as the the Serbian struggled to place his serves. Only 52 percent of Tipsarevic's first serves were in play and he went just 5-of-12 on them, in contrast to Ferrer's 14 first-serve points won.

But Tipsarevic wasn't done, winning a hard-fought, 65-minute second set despite Ferrer notching eight aces in that set alone. He took the third set in almost half the time, winning 11 of the 13 points on which he got his first serve in and attacking at the net with eight net points won.

Ferrer found himself in the fourth, though, and Tipsarevic got himself into trouble during the 79-minute fifth set. Chasing one ball after finding himself up 4-1, he slipped and fell on the court in what appeared to be a leg injury. He continued on a bit, and took a medical timeout before returning, looking a bit rejuvenated.

Ferrer digs it out and holds. 5-5. Ferrer is not pleased at Tipsarevic. Shouting "Vamos" at him after the hold. This is classic. #usopen

— Beyond The Baseline (@SI_BTBaseline) September 6, 2012

The intense match ended, properly, with a tiebreaker, where Ferrer's unwavering energy eventually ended with a victory. He will face the winner of No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic and No. 7 seed Juan Martin del Potro in the 2012 U.S. Open semifinals.

Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray have already advanced to the semifinal round.

For more updates on the 2012 U.S. Open, check out SB Nation's tennis hub. Hit up the official U.S. Open website for live scoring updates.