Fabio Fognini has beaten No.2 seed Kei Nishikori to became the first unseeded player in 10 years to reach the men’s semi-finals at the Miami Open.

The 29-year-old Italian cruised in to the last four of an ATP Masters 1000 event for just the second time, with a 6-4 6-2 win against last year’s tournament runner-up.

The victory was Fognini’s first on a hard court against a top-five ranked opponent.

Japan’s world No.4 Nishikori was well below his best and appeared to be hampered by an injury during the 67 minute match.

Fognini will play the winner of the quarter-final between Rafael Nadal and Jack Sock in the next round.