U.S. Open SF previews and picks: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Federer vs. Cilic

September 5, 2014 Ricky Match previews 476

Djoker 4Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are one win away apiece from colliding in a second consecutive Grand Slam final. Standing in their respective ways on Saturday at the U.S. Open, however, are Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (10) Kei Nishikori

Djokovic and Nishikori will be squaring off for just the third time in their careers when they clash in the semifinals of the U.S. Open on Super Saturday. The head-to-head series stands at 1-1, with Djokovic having cruised 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 at the 2010 French Open before Nishikori prevailed 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-0 on the indoor hard courts of Basel in 2011. They were supposed to face each other earlier this season in Miami, but Nishikori withdrew from the scheduled semifinal with a groin injury.

The Japanese star has been injury-plagued throughout his career, but from a physical standpoint he is enjoying the fortnight of his life so far in New York. After rolling over Wayne Odesnik, Pablo Andujar, and Leonardo Mayer, Nishikori pulled out consecutive five-set victories over Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka. The world No. 9 is now an awesome 39-9 for his 2014 campaign. Djokovic has improved to 44-6 following defeats of Diego Schwartzman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, Sam Querrey, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Andy Murray. The top-ranked Serb is bouncing back nicely from early losses in Toronto and Cincinnati. With recharged batteries and a heightened motivation level, Djokovic surrendered just a single set to Murray on his way to the semis. The No. 1 seed should have a clear edge over a fatigued opponent who is contesting the first major semifinal of his career.

Pick: Djokovic in 3 with no tiebreakers

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(14) Marin Cilic vs. (2) Roger Federer

Federer and Cilic will be doing battle for the sixth time in their careers and for the second time this summer when they meet again on Saturday. All five previous encounters have gone Federer’s way, including a competitive 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4 affair last month in Toronto. The Swiss is 4-0 lifetime against Cilic on hard courts and 11-2 in total sets (9-2 in hard-court sets). Cilic, though, is playing the most consistent tennis of his career right now and he is no stranger to the latter stages of Grand Slams. The 16th-ranked Croat–who is 45-16 for the year–reached the U.S. Open quarters in 2009 and 2012, the Australian Open semis in 2010, and the Wimbledon quarters this summer (extended Djokovic to five sets). So far this fortnight Cilic has taken out Marcos Baghdatis, Illya Marchenko, Kevin Anderson, Gilles Simon, and Tomas Berdych.

These two semifinalists had much different days at the office on Thursday. After Cilic made routine straight-set work of Cilic, Federer recovered from a two-set deficit and saved two match points in a 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Gael Monfils. That was preceded by scalps of Marinko Matosevic, Sam Groth, Marcel Granollers, and Roberto Bautista Agut. The 33-year-old Swiss is 54-9 for the season, which includes a recent runner-up showing in Toronto and a title in Cincinnati. Federer withstood Cilic’s best effort at the Rogers Cup and there is no reason to think he will not do the same at an event he has won five times. The No. 2 seed has a ton of momentum in the wake of his comeback against Monfils; it’s not going away anytime soon.

Pick: Federer in 4

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32 Comments on U.S. Open SF previews and picks: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Federer vs. Cilic

  3. Absolutely ruthless performance by Cilic. Every aspect of his game was clicking really well. Would have taken anyone on the tour (including other members of Big 4) to cleaners today with this kind off a performance.

    Fed seemed flat for 2nd match in a row. Still played good in the 1st set. The only mistake he did was gifting up that break game in the 2nd set.
    Apart from that, it was just a case of Cilic being being better than him in everything.

    So congrats CILIC!

    Reply

  4. I am sure this will send some positive energy to Rafa. Novak aint winning his 8th slam and gaining more ranking points. Roger aint winning his 18th slam. Rafa can feel good about it. I hope he is practicing hard and evolving his game.

    Reply

    • @vamosrafa,

      Yes! I am so happy that Rafa’s injury isn’t going to cost him. Novak can’t follow up his win at Wimbledon and Fed isn’t winning another slam.

      I bet Fed couldn’t believe it when Cilic came out firing. He probably thought he was gifted a pass to the final when Novak was knocked out.

      It’s been so hard not having Rafa play at the USO. I still miss him, but now it doesn’t hurt as much.

      Who would have thought this morning that we would see two huge upsets back-to-back?

      What a day!

      Reply

  6. So 2 out of 4 Slams will go to other players than the big 4!
    Definitely the players have more belief with them.

    Next years AO could prove to be a cracker. So many contenders will be eager to make a point especially the big guys.

    At the moment I can only see FO and Wimbledon as the only ground holding majors for the Big 4 due to lack of clay or grass court specialists.

    Reply

  8. So the world did stop spinning on its axis after all – at least it did on Arthur Ashe today!

    I love the symmetry that both underdogs upset their multi slam holding opponents on the same day and will now face each other for the title.

    Reply

  14. I am laughing just thinking about CBS trying to hype this final! I am excited to see these two young men vie for their first slam, but the network was counting on a Novak/Fed showcase for their Monday broadcast!

    These two young guys had other plans!

    Reply

  15. Finally some much needed young blood in a final of a slam. Fedal is dead for this year and hopefully for good. I want Kei to win but Cilic looks like the favorite.

    Reply

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      #Humble
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