Kei Nishikori has overcome five match points to defeat Gael Monfils 4-6 6-3 7-6 (3) in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters.

The No.16-seeded Monfils was soaked with sweat on a sweltering afternoon but rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the final set.

Nishikori fell behind 0-40 serving at 4-5 but erased those match points and another in that game, and overcame one more match point serving in the 12th game.

He played a solid tiebreaker and closed out the victory with a forehand winner.

Seeded No. 6, Nishikori will play Friday the winner of the match Thursday night between world No.12 Milos Raonic and No.24 Nick Kyrgios.