Cilic clobbers Nishikori at U.S. Open for first Grand Slam title

First Stan Wawrinka. Now Marin Cilic.

A Grand Slam year with more parity than any other in the last decade culminated with Cilic’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open final on Monday evening. The Croat needed just one hour and 54 minutes to join Wawrinka, the Australian Open champ, as first-time major winners in 2014.

Maintaining his incredible form that had been on display in respective quarterfinal and semifinal drubbings of Tomas Berdych and Roger Federer, Cilic fired 17 aces in only 14 service games and struck 38 winners to a mere 27 unforced errors.

“Seems completely unreal to be called Grand Slam champion,” Cilic admitted. “I was dreaming about this all my life, and suddenly (the) last four, five days everything started to change. I started to play absolutely unbelievable starting with the fifth set with (Gilles) Simon. After that I had unbelievable run of the matches against these top guys.

“And what it means to me, it means everything. It’s just a huge accomplishment and huge moment for myself and for my team and for everybody around me who was with me all these years supporting me, believing in me and never giving up. So this is just the peak of the world.”

There was little Nishikori could do against such a red-hot opponent and it did not help that a long fortnight seemed to catch up with him at the final hurdle. Japan’s top player had previously gone to five sets with Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka before upsetting world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in four on Saturday.

“There [are] a lot of things, positive things, that I learned from these two weeks,” Nishikori assured. “Yeah, it was one of (the) worst [matches] I played today, but also he was very aggressive and very fast. I was a little bit nervous. But (I’m) very excited (for) these two weeks. I didn’t expect nothing coming here. Before I was injured and (had) little practice. There [are] so many positive things for sure that I can have from these two weeks, beating Stan and Novak again. (I’m) disappointed today, but very good two weeks.”

Nishikori added that he hopes the presence of different players in Grand Slam finals becomes a trend.”I think it’s good news for tennis,” he explained. “A lot of young guys are coming up: (Grigor) Dimitrov (and) Raonic (reached the) semis in Wimbledon. I think it’s great for tennis. Cilic and…I don’t know, (Juan Martin) Del Potro is not here but he’s still top player. I hope I see more changes.”[polldaddy poll=8295106]

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