Andy Murray was knocked out of the U.S. Open by Kei Nishikori in an enthralling five-set quarterfinal match at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday.
The Japanese underdog, who lost to Murray in the Olympic semifinals last month as the Brit went on to win gold, recovered from a slow start to win 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory.
After struggling to cope with Murray's strong returning in the opening set, Nishikori battled back after a rain delay to stun the world's second-ranked player.
The result marks just the second victory for the 2014 finalist over Murray in nine attempts.
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A long backhand from Nishikori earned Murray his first break to go 3-1 up, and Murray's vicious return of serve saw him power to a swift first-set victory.
Murray's dominance of the opening set faded in the second, even though he made the first break. Nishikori immediately pegged him back in a pattern that would become a recurring theme. After a pause for the roof to be closed, Nishikori leveled matters as Murray found the net following a long rally.
Nishikori appeared to have the crowd on his side against a visibly frustrated Murray.
The No. 6 seed twice came up with an immediate response to Murray breaks during a tight third set, but the Olympic champion made a third gain stick and held serve to go back in front. Having started with a dominant first-set victory, Murray's match was flipped on its head when Nishikori claimed the fourth by the same score line as part of a seven-game winning run.
Murray finally stemmed the tide by holding serve to pull back to 2-1 in the decider and he converted a second break point to pull level.
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It proved to be brief respite for Murray, though, as Nishikori fired a winner down the left to regain the advantage, but a match of twists and turns had another twist, and turn, to come. Murray's break to level at 4-4 had the feel of a moment that could shift the momentum in his favor, yet Nishikori — chasing just a second grand slam semifinal appearance — would come again.
A double fault from Murray handed Nishikori a break point that was duly converted to the fury of the Wimbledon champion, and the 26-year-old held serve to wrap up a memorable win.
Nishikori will face Juan Martin del Potro or Stan Wawrinka for a place in the final.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Nishikori (6) def. Murray (2]) 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Nishikori - 48/60
Murray - 29/46
ACES
Nishikori - 1
Murray - 8
BREAK POINTS WON
Nishikori - 9/13
Murray - 8/15
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Nishikori - 60
Murray - 55
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Nishikori - 72/43
Murray - 69/39
TOTAL POINTS
Nishikori - 142
Murray - 130