Kei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after his match against Andy Murray of Great Britain (not pictured) on day ten of the 2016 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Sep 7, 2016. Nishikori won 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - Sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan outlasted world No 2 Andy Murray in the US Open quarter-finals, 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, on Wednesday.

"I had many up and downs, in the beginning I didn't start well. It was tough but in the end it was great tennis, so very happy," said Nishikori.

The match lasted three hours and 57 minutes and went for five sets. The fifth and final set started with three straight breaks of serve. Tied at 5-5 with Murray serving, Nishikori scored another break and then served out the match in the 12th game.

Last time Nishikori reached the semifinals was 2014, when he finally reached his first Grand Slam final before losing to Croatian Marin Cilic.

"I definitely have great memories here," Nishikori added. "Two years ago, I made the final for the first time in the Grand Slams. This is a great opportunity for me, to come in the semifinal here again. This is one of my favorite Grand Slams."