Former world number one Carlos Moya quelled a brave challenge from Latvian teenager Ernests Gulbis to win 7-5, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 on Tuesday and reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time in nine years.

"I feel like a 20-year-old and the way I'm playing, it's great," the 31-year-old Spaniard, who made it to the semi-finals in 1998, said after his fourth-round victory.

"When you're the oldest guy in the draw you get a lot of support from the crowd and it's a great feeling to be in the quarters," he added.

The Spanish 17th seed was pushed hard by 19-year-old Gulbis but came through to set up a clash with third seed Novak Djokovic.