Roland Garros runner-up Robin Soderling has become the first man to reach the quarter-finals of the US tennis Open when his eighth-seeded opponent Nikolay Davydenko retired with a leg injury.
Russian Davydenko hobbled around court with his left leg heavily strapped but after losing the third set, he shook his head and informed the umpire he could not continue.
The retirement would also have been a relief for Soderling, who had suffered a dizzy spell during the 7-5 3-6 6-2 win.
The Swedish 12th seed's victory also set the stage for a possible rematch with Roger Federer, the only man to have beaten Soderling in the last two grand slam events.
French Open and Wimbledon champion Federer faces Spaniard Tommy Robredo later today.
