Kei Nishikori has beaten Rafael Nadal in straight sets to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup.

The number four seed started the match on the front foot as he broke the Spaniard in the third game of the first set, and then put pressure on his serve again to break him once more to seal a 6-2 victory.

Nishikori compounded his advantage over the number seven seed as he raced into a 4-1 lead in the second set courtesy of two breaks.

However, Nadal responded with a break of his own and then a hold to reduce the deficit to 4-3, but Nishikori found his form on serve again to hold out for a 6-4 win to earn his place in the last four.

The 25-year-old will face the winner of the match between Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals of the competition.