US Open: Andy Murray pushed to deciding fifth set by Kei Nishikori

Both players saw their form hit peaks and troughs at almost minute-by-minute intervals to push the scoreline to 6-1 4-6 6-4 1-6, Nishikori twice fighting back after falling a set behind in the match.

The Scot started the match as a hot favourite to make it through, having been in blistering form in his quarter-final match, and whistled through the first set 6-1 in just over half an hour.

Murray looked in charge of the second set as he went a break up, but a rain delay changed the momentum in the match - and Nishikori broke back, before breaking again with Murray serving at 4-5 down in the second.

That levelled the match - and the Scot, so dominant early on, now knows exactly what faces him: Nishikori has beaten the world number two before and is a former US Open finalist, having knocked out Novak Djokovic on this very same Arthur Ashe Court in the semi-finals in 2014.

Murray got back in front by winning a close-fought, topsy-turvy third set that saw five breaks of serve - including three in a row at the end of the set.

But Nishikori uttlerly dominated the fourth set, winning five games in a row to turn 1-1 into 6-1 and set the match up for a decider.

Watch the match live on Eurosport or Eurosport Player, or follow live commentary with the Eurosport website and mobile app: