Japanese sixth seed Nishikori clinched a dramatic 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 comeback triumph in a shade under four hours against the Wimbledon and Olympic Games victor and 2012 US Open champion.
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Murray let a two-sets-to-one lead slip against Nishikori and became embroiled in an argument with the umpire and tournament referee after play was halted when the stadium sound system emitted a loud noise, with the Scot holding break point.
It was so exciting on the court but I tried to stay calm.
Hes a great returner, there were lots of up and downs.
“After the rain delay I think I was more focused and started playing better tennis, so I was getting more confidence”.
Nishikori had lost seven of eight of their previous matches before his impressive 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5 upset of the world number two Briton to reach the semi-finals where he will face Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka.
That run brought him his first Italian Open, fifth Queen’s Club, second Wimbledon and second Olympic titles.
He will face either twice grand slam victor Stan Wawrinka or 2009 tournament champion Juan Martin del Potro in the last four.
Andy Murray had earlier claimed to be having sleepless nights against the Japanese World No. 7 ahead of their quarterfinal encounter.
It thudded around the stadium and echoed eerily beneath the roof which had been closed due to rain midway through the second set.
“Well, obviously I was in a good position up and a set and a break and chances at the beginning of the fourth set, as well”, Murray said. “You know, at times I was obviously doing more of the running, you know, whereas I think in the first set and a half and when we played in the Olympics, you know, that was the other way around”. After enjoying a five-set win over Wimbledon champion Murray in the fourth round, he was tipped to return to the final this year.
Murray’s defeat means Flushing Meadows will feature the first grand slam final of the year without the British number one.
A shade over four hours earlier Nishikori nearly got off to a dream start, taking a 0-40 lead in the opening game before Murray came roaring back to hold serve.
Williams is seeking a record seventh US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam crown.
Andy Murray was in complete control in the early part of his quarterfinal match at the US Open Wednesday, cruising to a win in the first set.
Whatever coach Michael Chang told his player during the stoppage, it worked, as a more aggressive Nishikori came out and broke to take the second set.
“I’m gonna watch a little bit [of Wawrinka vs. Del Potro]”.
Murray served out that set at love and seemed to be in good shape, up two sets to one. I fought as hard as I could with what I had, ‘ Murray said. “I’m just happy that it’s now and that it came”.
Nishikori went 40-0 up when he served at 4-3, only to lose the next five points. “I tried to stay positive and I knew that if I did, I could just stay in the match”.
Murray whacked the net as he went to the sideline for the changeover, and soon enough, his career-best run of reaching seven straight tournament finals would be over.
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“Stopped the point, and I was just curious why that was and that was it”, said a downbeat Murray, who came in quickly after the defeat to speak to the media.
