British World No 2 Andy Murray bowed out of the US Open after being beaten in five sets by Kei Nishikori at Flushing Meadows.
The 2014 runner-up from Japan edged past this year's Wimbledon and Olympic champion 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5 in just under four hours of drama on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"It was so exciting on the court but I tried to stay calm. It was really tough," said Nishikori after reaching only his second Slam semi-final where he will play Stan Warinka who beat Juan Martin del Potro.
Murray admitted that he briefly lost his composure which opened the door for 2014 runner-up Nishikori who has now beaten top 10 players five times at the US Open.
"Definitely I would say to 4-1 I didn't play a good game after I got out of the change of ends, and then he held pretty comfortably the next game," said the Briton.
"But after that, I don't think so. I lost my serve a couple of times from positions when I was up in the game."
Nishikori broke for 1-0 in the deciding set and backed it up for 2-0 before Murray stopped an eight-game losing streak to hold.
The 29-year-old was not going down without a fight, as he broke back again to lead 5-4. Yet Nishikori was not to be denied, as he broke his opponent for a fifth time in eight service games.
Murray was unable to capitalise on a solid start
Serving for the match, Nishikori did not waver as a Murray backhand dropped into the net and confirmed defeat after three hours and 58 minutes.
Nishikori had gone into the match having lost seven of his eight meetings with Murray but reeled off a string of stunning winners from the baseline which his opponent was unable to counter.
His flashing forehand proved his biggest weapon, as he ended Murray's challenge for a second US Open title.
Since winning at Flushing Meadows in 2012, Murray has failed to reach the semi-finals in three subsequent attempts and he must now find a way of regaining his focus ahead of next week's Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Sixth seed Nishikori will now face the winner of the match between unseeded former champion Juan Martin del Potro and third-seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka for a place in the Sunday's final.
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