US Open champion Andy Murray was stunned by Milos Raonic 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 in the semi-finals of the Japan Open yesterday, ending the Briton’s defence of his Tokyo title.

Local favourite Kei Nis-hikori became the first Japanese player to reach the final of the $1.28 million Tokyo event after thrashing Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 6-2 6-2 in just 61 minutes in the other semi-final.

Murray’s temper erupted on several occasions, the Olympic champion yelling furiously at himself after blowing a 4-1 third-set lead and two match points.

Murray was broken by the Canadian in the first game and a booming forehand by Raonic on his first set point forced the top seed into a faulty backhand which flew high into the crowd.

The Scot faced break points in the second set and angrily trashed his racquet for the second match in a row as sixth seed Raonic continued to blast winners past him.

But Murray, who also reached this year’s Wimbledon final, dug in to win the tiebreak 7-5 with a fizzing backhand return onto the laces of Raonic on his first bite at the cherry.

Raonic twice gifted Murray match points with double-faults at 5-6 in the decider.

Both times his serve bailed him out.