With long-reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Rodger Federer both losing in the U.S. Open semi-finals, newbies Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori advanced to the finals. The “Big Four” (Federer, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray) have competed in the last 38 Grand Slam finals, but this year, Clic and Nishikori changed everything.
Kei Nishikori, a 24-year-old from Japan, defeated Djokovic with a set breakdown of 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. Ranked as the tenth seed, Nishikori is the first Asian man to advance to a Grand Slam final. Nishikori has not only blazed a trail for Asian tennis players, but also showed the world that even the greats can be defeated.
Marin Cilic, a 25-year-old from Croatia, crushed Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Standing at 6-foot-6, Cilic looks like a giant even next to the taller tennis players. With a killer serve, able to ace Federer countless times in one game, Cilic took the crowd by surprise as he so effortlessly superseded Federer. Although Federer has a record for being able to come back after losing two sets, Federer was unable to turn the game around.
In their final, Cilic defeated Nishikori on Monday’s finals 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Once again, Cilic’s serves were able to ace his opponent. The match was incredible to watch, and if you didn’t catch it live, here are some highlights:
http://youtu.be/cx2sLvfE1Bs
So, as men’s tennis seems to be turning over a new leaf, new tennis champions are rising to fame. It will be interesting to see how next year’s Australian Open plays out.