World number five Stan Wawrinka insists he is "far away from the big four", despite advancing to the US Open quarter-finals for a third consecutive year on Monday.

Wawrinka dropped a set for the first time at Flushing Meadows in 2015 as he saw off American favourite Donald Young 6-4 1-6 6-3 6-4.

Swiss star Wawrinka - boasting a 40-12 win-loss record on tour this season - has now managed to reach at least the quarter-finals at all four major tournaments this year, after taking out the French Open and making the Australian Open semis, while he appeared in the last eight at Wimbledon.

But Wawrinka, who has won two of the past seven grand slams, does not believe he should be considered in the same conversation as world number one Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.

Between Federer (17), Nadal (14), Djokovic (nine) and Murray (two), the quartet has won 42 grand slam titles.

"I already answer that question many times. I don't think I am close to the big four," Wawrinka said afterwards.

"The big four is again not what happened the last two years, but what happened the past 10 years. They've been there since 10 years winning everything. 

"Okay, if you look, maybe my level [over] the last two years changed a lot. I win two grand slam, I won one Masters 1000 and everything, so I improve a lot myself.

"But I'm far away from the big four. If you look, Andy has like maybe what, 47, 48 title? I have only 10. I think for me it's clear."