Piece of Kei-ke: Nishikori upsets Djokovic to reach U.S. Open final

Kei Nishikori beat Novak Djokovic in four sets and a rumbling thunderstorm by mere minutes to reach the final of the 2014 U.S. Open, becoming the first Japanese Grand Slam singles finalist. Both Djokovic and Roger Federer, with 24 Grand Slams between them, were dumped out in the one sensational afternoon of tennis. Japan’s Nishikori, the 10th seed, became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final when he swept past seven-time major winner and world number one Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 despite on-court temperatures of almost 40 degrees. Few expected Nishikori, making his Grand Slam semi-final debut, to have the stamina to test Djokovic after his epic wins over Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka in previous rounds. The Japanese player made the better start though, breaking twice to take the first set against a strangely flat Djokovic, who beat Britain’s Andy Murray in a gruelling quarter-final.

It was tough conditions, it was a little heavy and humid but I guess I love to play long matches.

Kei Nishikori

24-year-old Nishikori, the first Japanese man since 1918 to reach the semi-finals in New York, goes on to face Croatian 14th seed Marin Cilic in Monday’s championship match after he also reached a maiden Grand Slam final by beating five-time New York winner Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. It will be the first major final that has not featured one of the big three of Djokovic, Federer or Rafael Nadal since the Australian Open final in 2005 when Marat Safin defeated Lleyton Hewitt.

I tried to concentrate with those important points. Especially last game, you know, I tried to get more energy and tried to concentrate again.

Roger Federer

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