Cilic Downs Federer for Trip to U.S. Open Finals

September 6, 2014 | By Eric C. Peck
Marin_Cilic (16)
Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Croatia's Marin Cilic completed a day of upsets Saturday at the 2014 U.S. Open, finishing off the second-seeded Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to advance to his first-ever Grand Slam final. Earlier in the day, it was Japan’s Kei Nishikori upsetting the top-ranked Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. Lifetime in seven career meetings, Nishikori holds a 5-2 advantage over Cilic, the last meeting in April 2014 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, a 6-1, 6-3 win for Nishikori, who eventually won the Barcelona title.

This year marks the first time since 2005 that Djokovic, Federer or Rafael Nadal have not appeared in the finals at Flushing Meadows.

“I have played with him a couple of times, but he was different story,” said Nishikori of Cilic. “He's been playing really well, very aggressive and very fast tennis. I know he's been getting stronger. It's going to be a tough final.”

With the win, Cilic, seeded 14th at the U.S. Open, becomes the first Croatian to reach a major final since his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, won the Wimbledon title in 2001.

Coming into the match, Federer held a perfect 5-0 mark over Cilic head-to-head in five career matchups. Federer, had he beat Cilic and won the U.S. Open title, would have moved into first place in the Emirates ATP Race to London after Djokovic’s loss earlier today.

"It's going to be special day for both of us," said Cilic of his finals matchup with Nishikori. "I mean, opportunity for both of us to win a Grand Slam, to be a part of the history. It's going to be definitely huge emotionally on the court. And we played couple times already here at the U.S. Open. Both of those matches were extremely tough under very difficult conditions. I feel that we have both different game styles … Kei hits the ball extremely well from the back of the court. I think I'm going to have to just focus on my game to break that little bit of rhythm and to try to serve well. I think it's going be a good sort of tactical matchup for the final."


Eric C. Peck

Eric C. Peck is Editor-in-Chief of Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by e-mail at eric@litennismag.com

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