New York: Japan's Kei Nishikori became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final when he swept past seven-time major winner Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals on Saturday.


Kei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men's singles semifinal match on Saturday. Pic/AFP 

The 10th seed braved on-court temperatures nudging the 40-degree mark to clinch a famous 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory over the world number one. Nishikori, the first Japanese man since 1918 to reach the semi-finals in New York, goes on to face either 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer or Croatia's Marin Cilic in Monday's championship match.