The Japanese, 112th in the world, won 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, in two hours and 25 minutes to face the world No. 1.

The match was a repeat of last year's US Open final, in which the Spaniard beat the American 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4. The winner of this year's French Open will face either Novak Djokovic or Stanislas Wawrinka.