NEW YORK, USA - Marin Cilic overcame his Grand Slam mental blockade by ripping past Andy Murray into the US Open quarter-finals, while Juan Martin Del Potro hungers for much more than a trip to the final eight.

Argentine sixth seed Del Potro and Croatian 16th seed Cilic advanced to a matchup for a berth in the semi-finals with straight-set triumphs Tuesday, the youngest men still in the draw at age 20 each bolstering claims as contenders.

Eliminating British second seed Murray 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 gave Cilic his biggest career triumph and his first Slam quarter-final appearance after four prior losses in the round of 16.

"Now that I don't have this blockade in my head, I can focus on winning other matches," Cilic said. "I'm feeling tremendously happy. It's the biggest result for me so far."

Del Potro, trying to become the first South American winner of the US Open in 32 years, ousted Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.

"I have my confidence in the best moment," Del Potro said. "I've beaten many good players on this surface. I would like to be in the semis or my first final. I have everything to do it."

Del Potro reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at last year's US Open and his first Slam semi-final at this year's French Open.

So advancing one more step is a major goal toward a possible finals matchup with five-time defending champion Roger Federer, the man who sent him out at Roland Garros in a tight semi-final.

"For sure my dream is to win a Grand Slam, this Slam especially," Del Potro said. "I would love to play in the final. But I can't think about that yet. I still have two more matches."

Cilic lost his only prior meeting with Del Potro in the fourth round of this year's Australian Open, but earned respect even though Del Potro is confident of victory.

"Murray is No. 2. He was winning everywhere. Maybe everybody is surprised. But Cilic has weapons. He's very good," Del Potro said. "He has potential. He has a very good future. He's very confident. He will be very tough for me.

"If I'm powerful with my game, I can beat him."

Cilic likes his chances as well.

"Definitly he's a player to watch. Definitely I have my chance," Cilic said. "I can take positive things from (beating Murray) and put them in the next match.

"He can play very well but I also think I have some game that can hurt him."