NEW YORK: Brisk winds, dark clouds and light showers produced a gloomy atmosphere at the US Open on Friday, drenching courts to ensure the scheduled afternoon resumption of tennis would be delayed.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and Chilean 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez were the most interested of those casting their eyes skyward for any signs of clearing, both hopeful of resuming their men's quarter-final match.

Spanish third seed Nadal, hoping to complete a career Grand Slam by winning his first US Open crown, was leading 7-6 (7/4), 6-6 (3/2) when session-ending showers began Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Completing that match is the lynchpin of organizers attempts to finish the schedule on Sunday as planned despite forecasts of rain throughout Friday.

Five-time defending champion Roger Federer, the Swiss 15-time Slam champion, and Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic are set for one men's semi-final while Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro awaits the Nadal-Gonzalez winner.

Friday's scheduled women's semi-finals, matching defending champion and 11-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams with Belgium's Kim Clijsters and Danish ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki with Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer, were also on hold.

The men's doubles final and a women's doubles semi-final were also awaiting their scheduling fate.