UMass Lowell Connector Logo

Djokovic, Federer stunned in semi finals at US Open

Nick Giannino
Sports Editor

For the first time since the 2005 Australian Open, a grand slam tennis final will feature two players not named Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, or Roger Federer. Instead, Croatia’s Marin Cilic will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori, with each searching for their first Grand Slam victory.

Nishikori used a combination of speed and winners (37) to storm into the finals first, with a four set triumph over Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Just hours later, the 6-foot-6 Cilic used big serves and powerful groundstrokes to take out Federer in an impressive 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

So, instead of another heavyweight finals matchup between No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Federer, this years’ US Open will feature No. 10 Nishikori and No. 14 Cilic on Monday.

For some, this could be viewed as a sign of dwindling dominance for the likes of Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer, allowing a new generation of players to share the spotlight.

Monday’s final will feature a clash in style of play between the two competitors, mixing  a quick and agile Nishikori and a powerful Cilic.

At just 24 years old, Nishikori recently became the only Asian born player to crack the top 10 in the ATP singles rankings. He is also the first man from Japan to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam event since Jiro Sato did so in 1933.

But Nishikori clearly played his best tennis yet on Saturday, compiling 37 winners and winning just over 70% of his first serves against 2011 US Open champion Djokovic.

As for Cilic, at 25 he is just a year older than his next opponent. Compiling 13 aces, including 3 in a row in the final game, Cilic will try to take advantage of his booming serve against the smaller Nishikori.

After going 40-16 in matches thus far in 2014, Cilic looks to improve that record with a win on Monday.

Tags ,

Related posts