Tennis: Cilic thrashes Nishikori to win US Open crown

The winner of 20 of the previous 21 men’s finals in New York had claimed the first set.

However, Nishikori had dropped the opener to both Raonic and Wawrinka in the fourth round and quarter-finals but still came out on top.

Cilic, finding the tightest angles, pounced again in the third game of the second set when his opponent sliced another apologetic backhand into the net.

He backed it up for 3-1 after Nishikori was unable to convert two break points.

“Special K playing too defensive especially with his backhand. A lot of slices for some reason,” tweeted Brad Gilbert, who coached Nishikori in 2011, from the sidelines.

Four successive aces helped Cilic to 4-2 which was soon 5-2 as he clinched his third break of the final.

Nishikori briefly rallied for a first break of the match but Cilic went to set point courtesy of a misdirected overhead by the 10th seed and sealed it 6-3 with a pinpoint forehand drive which found the corner.

The 24-year-old Japanese player, who had spent more than 16 hours on court to make the final, cracked again to fall 1-3 down in the third set off a wild, wide backhand.

Cilic then saved three more break points for a 5-2 lead before Nishikori clung on with a hold.

Moments later, it was all over as Cilic went effortlessly to three match points.

He double-faulted on the first but claimed the title after one hour 54 minutes with a sweet backhand crosscourt.

 

At a Glance: Recent men’s singles champions at the US Open after Marin Cilic beat Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to win the 2014 title on Monday:

 2014 – Marin Cilic (CRO)

2013 – Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2012 – Andy Murray (GBR)

2011 – Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2010 – Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2009 – Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)

2008 – Roger Federer (SUI)

2007 – Roger Federer (SUI)

2006 – Roger Federer (SUI)

2005 – Roger Federer (SUI)

2004 – Roger Federer (SUI)