Andy Murray crashes out of US Open

Murray, seeded second, led by two sets to one but eventually lost 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5 in three hours and 57 minutes.

Sixth seed Nishikori goes on to face Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro or Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals.

“It was too exciting on the court, but I tried to stay calm,” said Nishikori, the 2014 runner-up.

Murray, 29, had been on course to become only the fourth man since the open era began in 1968 to reach all four major finals in the same year, having finished runner-up at the Australian and French Opens, and won Wimbledon.