Serbia’s Novak Djokovic defeated Britain’s Andy Murray in a very entertaining late-night match to reach the US Open semi-finals. The world number one eventually won 7-6 6-7 6-2 6-4 at the end of a match that lasted 3 hours and a half, way past midnight local time. Djokovic will play Japanese 10th seed Kei Nishikori in the semi final on Friday.

“I played well,” said Murray. “Especially the first couple of sets was some good tennis. I played a poor tie-break in the first set definitely. I was down in the first set and I fought back. I was down in the second set and a break and I fought back. So I fought hard, I played some good tennis, but it wasn’t enough.” The first two sets were hard-fought as both players delivered powerful hits and sensational defensive skills. Djokovic’s better fitness gave him the win though.

Djokovic will face Kei Nishikori in the last four, the first ever Japanese man in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final. Nishikori earned his place in the semi finals after epic four hours and 15 minute encounter with Stanislas Wawrinka, the Australian Open champion. Djokovic and Nishikori have met twice before, Djokovic won in 2010 at the French Open while Nishikori prevailed in Basel back in 2011.

Here are the odds at Bet365 for Friday’s semi final:

Novak Djokovic win – 1/10
Kei Nishikori win – 6/1