The collapse started with some rain, then accelerated with a bang. And after nearly four hours, Andy Murray was out of the United States Open, losing to Kei Nishikori, 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.

Murray, the No. 2 seed, was in control of their quarterfinal, ahead by 6-1, 3-3, when it started to rain. Play was suspended to close the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium and to dry the court.

Four games after play resumed, Nishikori, the No. 6 seed, had won the second set. Murray took the third set, but became unglued in the fourth after a loud gong sound went off during a point, causing it to be stopped and replayed.

He argued with the chair umpire and a tournament official over the stoppage, and lost five games in a row to drop the set, muttering throughout. He even got bothered by a moth flying around on the court, and then was broken to open the fifth too.