The 26-year-old, who was beaten in the US Open final in 2014, came through a five-set epic against the number two seed, 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.

No male Asian player has ever won a Grand Slam tennis tournament, with Nishikori's victory over the double Wimbledon champion avenging his defeat to the Scot in the semi-finals of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"It was tough to stay calm," said the sixth seed, who went on to win bronze in Rio.

"He started very well in the beginning, there were a lot of ups and downs in the match.

"But I’m very happy to win."

Nishikori will now face Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in the last four after he defeated Argentina's Olympic silver medallist Juan Martin del Potro, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

It means that number three ranked Wawrinka is still in the hunt to win a third Grand Slam title after already triumphing in France and Australia during his career.

In women's competition, American Serena Williams remained on course for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title by edging Romania's Simona Halep in her quarter-final.

The US star came through in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 as she bids for a 23rd title at this level.

Achieving that would take her past German Steffi Graf to the summit of the list of most grand slam titles in the open era.

"I knew that I lost my rhythm and that I would have to step it up in the third," Williams said.

"But I’m happy to be in the semi-finals."

The top seed will now face Czech player Karolína Plíšková who came through against Croatia's Ana Konjuh, 6-2, 6-2.