Roger Federer has been dumped out of the 2019 US Open, clearing the path for Rafael Nadal to close the Grand Slam gap on him to just one major

• Roger Federer was dumped out of the US Open on Tuesday by unseeded Grigor Dimitrov.
• Federer's exit means Rafael Nadal is now the only remaining member of the "big three" left in the tournament, after Novak Djokovic was forced to retire through injury.
• Nadal is the favorite to win the tournament and secure his 19th major, which would move the Spaniard just one behind Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
• Nadal takes on the Argentine player Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
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Roger Federer has been dumped out of the US Open by unseeded Grigor Dimitrov, paving the way for Rafael Nadal to close the Grand Slam gap on the Swiss to just one major.

World no.3 men's player Federer was beaten 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 2-6 by Dimitrov at Flushing Meadows in Queens on Tuesday, ending his hopes of a winning a 21st Grand Slam title.

The 38-year-old's exit comes days after Novak Djokovic was forced to retire from the tournament through injury, meaning Rafael Nadal is now the last of the "big three" left in the tournament.

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Nadal is now the favorite to win the 2019 US Open and secure his 19th major, moving just one behind Federer's record of 20, and three ahead of Djokovic, who has 16.

"Just low." Federer told reporters according to the BBC when asked how he felt after the shock defeat. "Just disappointed it's over because I did feel like I was actually playing really well after a couple of rocky starts.

"It's just a missed opportunity to some extent that you're in the lead, you can get through, you have two days off after. It was looking good. But got to take the losses. They're part of the game. Looking forward to family time and all that stuff, so … Life's alright."

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Nadal faces the Argentine player Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals as he looks to progress to the semis for the third consecutive year.

The Spaniard has beaten Schwartzman in all seven of their previous encounters to date, however he says he won't be taking anything for granted when he faces the 27-year-old on Wednesday.

"It will be a big challenge, I have to play my best," Nadal told the BBC. "I'm happy for Diego, he's a close friend and I hope to play a great match.

"He is playing amazing - he is one of the players with the best talent on tour."