Benoit Paire has stunned Kei Nishikori in three sets 1-6 6-4 6-2 to advance to the final of the Japan Open.

Nishikori was expected to progress to the final of his home tournament and began the match in imperious form as he broke the unseeded Frenchman twice to secure a 6-1 win.

However, Paire fired back at the 25-year-old as the duo exchanged a fierce battle in the second set before the Frenchman managed to send a backhand winner down the line to seal a set-winning break.

The 26-year-old continued his fine form as he dominated the start of the third set by powering into a 4-1 lead courtesy of two early breaks. Paire held his nerve to break the Japanese again to win the third set 6-2 to secure the match.

Paire will face top-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka in the final of the competition.