And that brings the 2014 Grand Slams to a close. After an up and down year, Serena Williams once more rules the women, but the men have a new sheriff in town.
Wawrinka in Australia, Gulbis in Paris, Kyrgios, Dimitrov and Raonic at Wimbledon.
The times really are a-changin. In New York, Marin Cilic's time is now.
Goodnight.
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
On Twitter: Eight different winners of the 2014 Grand Slam singles titles, first time since 1998. Fact.
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Arthur Ashe Stadium is emptying, fans wandering out into the New York night. That final took only one hour and 53 minutes. It's not even 7.30 in the evening in NYC. Those expecting it to go long will have to find themselves something else to do.
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At 16 in the world, Cilic is the lowest-ranked US Open winner since world number 17 Pete Sampras triumphed in 2002. Overall, he is the lowest-ranked Grand Slam champion since Gaston Gaudio (exactly) won the French Open from 44th.
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Cilic has already let go of the trophy and has his bag on his back, signing autographs for fans on the front row. His success tonight completes a 10-year stretch that has seen only eight different Grand Slam champions. He has also lifted himself to fifth on the Race to London. Andy Murray is down in 11th.
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Arthur Hunter: Isn't it slightly random that all 5 sets of the singles finals at the US Open have finished 6-3?
"I thought this would go down to the wire. Cilic had more power but I wouldn't say he was red hot. Nishikori will be very disappointed with his performance. He has a game to trouble Cilic but did not challenge today."
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ReutersCopyright: Reuters
There it is. Marin Cilic gets his hands on the US Open trophy for the first time. He kisses the silver and holds it aloft. Chants in the crowd and music over the speakers as he poses in front of photographers. Dream-like moments.
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2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic: "I don't know how I did it. It was hard work over the last few years. My team especially Goran has brought something to me. The most important thing he brought was to enjoy my tennis and have fun.
"It has been the best tournament of my life.
"You never know when the nerves will kick in. We were both nervous in the first set. I was lucky to get the break points. Everything I was dreaming for came today.
"This is a big sign if you work hard it will pay off.
"Goran Ivanisevic is looking very emotional - trying to fight back the tears."
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Cilic to the microphone. He looks like he could play three more sets. Nearly time for that silver trophy...
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Kei Nishikori: "He played really well today, I couldn't play my tennis. I want to congratulate Marin. It's a tough loss, but I'm really happy. I want to thank my team. I'm sorry I couldn't get the trophy today.
"It was a fun two weeks here. I want to to thank everyone who makes this wonderful tournament happen."
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Trophy ceremony coming up, the players about to speak.
"These two players are the nicest of guys. Very polite and humble. I'm very pleased for the both of them."
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Fiona: Fantastic! I have been thrilled to watch Cilic several times on outside courts at Wimbledon and have always loved the way he plays. I am so happy for him to win a grand slam, he really deserves it.
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The stars and stripes are on court for the presentation, but Cilic has to wait a moment or two before he can get his hands on the trophy and the cheque for $3m. The Croat is also trying to phone someone. "I've won!"
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ReutersCopyright: Reuters
One Republic's Counting Stars plays in New York. Count them, then add one more - Marin Cilic. His smile is as wide as the Hudson River, while Kei Nishikori is on his seat, removing his ankle support. For every first-time winner, there is a first-time final loser.
"Who would have picked Cilic at the beginning of the tournament? But what a performance. The last three matches have been in straight sets: Berdych, Federer and the final. It's an unbelievable performance. It's been done with ice in his veins."
Marin Cilic wins the 2014 US Open
Cilic 6-3 6-3 6-3 Nishikori
EPACopyright: EPA
The new name on the US Open trophy will be that of Marin Cilic. A backhand winner leaves Kei Nishikori chasing shadows. Cilic, a maiden Grand Slam winner, is on the floor, then climbing to his box for a hug with Goran Ivanisevic. A year ago, Cilic was not allowed to play. Tonight, he is a Grand Slam champion.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 40-15 Nishikori
Double fault! A first sign of nerves. Two match points...
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 40-0 Nishikori
Nishikori backhand long. Three match points. Marin Cilic, this is your time...
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 30-0 Nishikori
Repeat. Two points needed.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 15-0 Nishikori
Unreturned. One down, three to go.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 Nishikori
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The lights taking effect, but they might not be needed for too long. A Croatian fist pump when Nishikori goes to the net, but a rueful cry when he dumps one of his own. A backhand-forehand combo from Nishikori succeeds, but a backhand from deep is long. 30-30. Pressure. An ace! The patient has a pulse and stays alive when Cilic goes long. Now, though, he will serve for the 2014 US Open.
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"With two first time finalists you know your opponent will get tight. And Nishikori had to take the opportunity when it came to him."
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-2 Nishikori*
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Dependability? Thy name is the Marin Cilic serve. I'm sure I hear someone in the crowd say "this is boring". You're a fool, because this is brilliant. Net-cord, Cilic drops, Nishikori scampers, the lunge just wide. When Cilic lands yet another serve, a backhand down the line sends Nishikori to the point of no return.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-2 Nishikori
Marin Cilic is absolutely nerveless. When serving for the match against Federer, his serve rained down aces. Now, his serve is digging him out of a hole when the US Open title is within touching distance. 40-40. What about the forehand? Not so much. Another break point...
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-2 Nishikori
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Hang on, do we have a twist? Twice Cilic's backhand breaks down to bring the crowd to life. 15-30. Another idiot shouts out as the serve comes down. Can someone please throw him out? Now the forehand lets Cilic down. Two break points...
Nishikori goes to the far end and orders a sake from the last-chance saloon. A fool in the crowd shouts as Nishikori serves, but it has little effect as Cilic stretches and fails to get it back. 40-0. Nishikori, strangely re-energised, gets huge whoops as a forehand doesn't come back. He's still fighting. Just.
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Alex Haworth: Massive anticlimax, but at least I won't be too tired at work tomorrow.
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-1 Nishikori*
EPACopyright: EPA
Cilic knows that he only has to rely on his trusty serve three more times. Twelve points. It's been broken only once all night, and rarely threatened elsewhere. Again he's banging down the bombs, putting officials in danger as he peppers the back wall. Nishikori is leaping in to the ball so often he could collect air miles, but Cilic is done with a smash.
"Nishikori has just not been able to win the long rallies. He is up against a bigger man hitting the ball harder."
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 6-3 6-3 3-1 Nishikori
Ball game. Marin Cilic breaks in the third at the end of the longest rally of the match. It's wonderful stuff. Forehand exchange, then backhand. In the end, Nishikori breaks down, losing his backhand. Marin Cilic is three games away from the US Open title.
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 2-1 Nishikori*
From now on, every Nishikori service game is fraught with danger, the 10th seed knowing that a mistake could spell the end. The handbrake is off with a dancing forehand into open court, complete with fist pump, but energy levels look low when Cilic finds range with a forehand of his own. 15-30. Now Nishikori is inexplicably into the net. Two break points...
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 2-1 Nishikori*
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Cilic with his back to us, wiping his brow on his sleeve before tossing the ball into the New York evening. Bounce, belt, repeat. In a rare occurrence of Nishikori stepping up into the baseline, Cilic is floundering, but a wonderful drop leaves the Japanese stranded at the net. 40-15. An ace completes it. One step closer to glory.
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Paul Sawyer: Nishikori looking a little dead on his feet now, would be a hell of a come back if he can get back into this.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 1-1 Nishikori
Nishikori blows on his fingers like a man selecting a bowling ball. Slicey dicey, but a leaping backhand is sent to the net. 40-40. Oh that's good, a first ace of the final has Cilic groping in the dark. Now Nishikori finally bosses a point, sending Cilic all over the baseline before the Croat surrenders. Noise levels cranked up in NYC.
"Nishikori's trying everything but he can't put anything together. Sometimes the harder you try it does not drop in. You can't pull three or four rallies in."
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 1-0 Nishikori*
Every Cilic point is greeted with disappointed "aaahs" in the crowd. Every Nishikori point comes with whoops of delight. Those late-comers want more tennis. Twice Cilic goes to the big first serve to finally complete a hold. Pressure on Nishikori now. One more break could be terminal.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 Nishikori
The last man to come from two sets down to win the US Open final was Pancho Gonzales in 1949. Marin Cilic has never lost from two sets up. Good news for Kei Nishikori, eh? Perhaps Bruce Willis is a Nishikori fan. He doesn't look very happy. Either that, or a random woman is trying to take pictures of him. Hello, what's happening here? Cilic to 40-0, but back to 40-40 with mistakes and a double fault. Wonderful rally this, Nishikori scampering, Cilic finding the lines. Nishikori, looking shattered, goes long, but a net-cord sends Cilic out of bounds. On we go...
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"Once Cilic strikes a winner it is not coming back."
Game and second set
Cilic 6-3 6-3 Nishikori
This might not go too long into the night. Marin Cilic has a two-set lead, sealed with a down-the-line forehand that hunts the corner. Too good. The Croat clenches his first and flashes a look to his box. What can Kei Nishikori do? At the moment, nothing.
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Cilic 6-3 5-3 Nishikori*
Ooohhhs and aaahhhs as Nishikori gets sloppy with a forehand. Even more groans when the Cilic defence forces Nishikori into an awkward smash. Netted. Set point...
"I spent lots of time with Goran on the legends' tour. Goran reckons Marin overthinks. He just wants him to serve. He has stopped him thinking and got him playing his natural game."
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Cilic 6-3 5-3 Nishikori*
Brilliant serving from Cilic, saving two breakers, but the first error of judgement from Cilic gives Nishikori another chance. Poor challenge, the ball shown to have clipped the baseline. Another break point for Nishikori, this time taken when Cilic gives a forehand too many beans. A ray of light?
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*Cilic 6-3 5-2 Nishikori
Cilic, tall and slender, bounces the ball before serving, grimacing when he puts a forehand long. "Come on Kei," from the crowd. Nishikori battling, getting more chants from the crowd when Cilic dumps a backhand into the net. Two break points....
"Nishikori's head is bowed and he looks very concerned. He needs to toughen it out and stop making mistakes. Nishikori's work has not been there. Maybe all the pressure is getting to him, he's not settled. He's been rushed just like Roger Federer was. Cilic does not give your rhythm. He reminds you of Del Potro, the courts are faster this year."
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 6-3 5-2 Nishikori
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Marin Cilic is dismantling Kei Nishikori in this US Open final. A second break in this second set is greeted with a simple clench of the first. He will return from his chair to serve for a two-set lead. Surely there would be no way back from Nishikori? So far, it hasn't been a contest.
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Cilic 6-3 4-2 Nishikori*
Nishikori is looking for new ways to force the issues, while Cilic is all beard, calmness, and ball punishment. To the net, forehand winner. Two break points...
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Cilic 6-3 4-2 Nishikori*
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Cilic, a smear of green and black on white his white shirt, is holding too quickly for a text commentator to keep up. One ace. Two aces. Three aces. Four aces. Nishikori doesn't even feel ball on racquet. Ten in the match for Mighty Marin.
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Adam Haigh: 5 sets v Raonic, 5 sets v Wawrinka, 4 sets v Djokovic, are all those hours on court finally catching up with Nishikori?
Fraser Marnie: Poor Kei, he looks like a rabbit in the headlights at the moment. I fear for him now, especially if this second goes quickly.
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*Cilic 6-3 3-2 Nishikori
I'm told that our umpire's mate is holding a sound boom. Surely, in 2014, sound recording has moved on past a man following the ball with a microphone? Either way, he's doing a good job. Nishikori more settled in this service game, a hold to love completed when Cilic shanks when the open court was at his mercy. Extra loud cheers, or maybe not that loud and just magnified by our boom man.
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Cilic 6-3 3-1 Nishikori*
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Saved with aplomb, the second brushed aside with a line-hunting ace. Nishikori has had three break points in this match and is yet to take one. Back on track, Cilic pressurises Nishikori with a huge serve and some booming forehands. As the floodlights come on, Nishikori is in the dark.
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*Cilic 6-3 2-1 Nishikori
I've still not found out what that chap sitting next to the chair umpire does. He has what looks like a camera constantly trained on the flight of the ball. A speed gun? No idea. Nishikori hands a couple of racquets to a ball-boy and is cheered by a crowd that seems to be behind him when Cilic goes long for 15-30. Then into the net. Two break-back points for Nishikori...
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Jenni: This has been a very slow and sluggish start from Nishikori tonight. You can tell that this is the biggest game of his career so far, he's in danger of allowing the occasion get the better of him. He really needs to dig in here.
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 6-3 2-1 Nishikori
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Are we already close to knowing who the next Grand Slam champion will be? Marin Cilic is a set and a break up. It's another error from Kei Nishikori, who had shown such tenacity to get back into the game. In the end, though, a backhand to the net handed it to Cilic, who is bulldozing his way through this final.
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Cilic 6-3 1-1 Nishikori*
APCopyright: AP
What a way to save a third break point. Two good serves get Nishikori back in it, with a huge exchange needed for the third. Nishikori gets the advantage of a net-cord, then pulls out an audacious drop shot. Cilic, lead-footed, can only smile. He gets another chance with a jackhammer of a forehand.
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Cilic 6-3 1-1 Nishikori*
Nishikori is a shadow of the man who beat Novak Djokovic. Despite the crowd's efforts to get behind him, the error count is creeping up. Two wild backhands and a forehand give Cilic three break points...
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Cilic 6-3 1-1 Nishikori*
Where did I put my celeb-spot claxon? Michael J Fox applauds, a few seats away from Virginia Wade. One famous for their tennis, one not. Back to the 80s. Another easy hold for Cilic, who, despite towelling down, isn't losing much sweat. He's lost only five points on serve.
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*Cilic 6-3 0-1 Nishikori
In that first set, Cilic won 91% of the points when he landed his first serve. That's the sort of tennis that would please Goran Ivanisevic. Just picking up on Piers Newbery's earlier point about his match starting at 5pm local time - what sort of madness is that? We're back to Sunday finals next year. Nishikori serving at the start of the second, holding to huge cheers with a gorgeous forehand down the line.
"Cilic turned around very calmly towards his coach at the end of that set to say 'I'm on my way'. Nishikori needs to get the blood pumping. Cilic is winning a few points a game with that big serve."
Game and first set
Cilic 6-3 Nishikori
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
That will do nicely. In just 33 minutes, Marin Cilic is a third of the way to his first Grand Slam title. Another huge serve, Cilic into the net, only for the ball not to come back. The Croat is dictating play, serving well and mixing his play. Kei Nishikori just hasn't settled and must find a way to disrupt the big man.
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*Cilic 5-3 (40-0) Nishikori
This is a huge backhand exchange...cross-court, then slicing...Nishikori wide. 15-0. This is far too good from Cilic, in to the net and angling a deft volley that Nishikori can't chase down. 30-0. Now the Japenese is long. Three set points...
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*Cilic 5-3 Nishikori
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Nishikori, watch on his left wrist, blows hard as he looks for the weapons to trouble the huge hitting of Cilic. Better from the Japanese, moving Cilic around the court. That's too good, though, a double-hander down the line from Cilic. 30-30. When Cilic can't get a serve back, Nishikori beats his chest and completes the hold. Business time...
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
"There is much discussion about the half-empty stands, another reason why scheduling a major sporting event at 5pm on a Monday isn't ideal. Maybe they've all nipped home to get jumpers, it's pretty parky halfway up so must be teeth-chattering at the top of the stadium. The stiff breeze is not helping the tennis much either."
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Cilic 5-2 Nishikori*
Players on their chairs, Cilic towelling down. Music plays, you wouldn't have that at SW19, would you? Nishikori serving to stay in the first set, new balls on his strings. Hello, what's this? Nishikori not happy with the batch, the ball kids giving them to the umpire. It looks they've been given the OK...
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Andrew: Nishikori has worked miracles to reach this US Open final, but you simply can't see past the Marin Cilic serve, and couple that with his years of ATP tour experience. You have to think that Nishikori is going to have to produce yet another thrilling display to win, Cilic on the other hand just has to play to his strengths.
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Cilic 5-2 Nishikori*
APCopyright: AP
So, we've learned that Cilic isn't all about the serve, but it's the Cilic serve on which Nishikori must make an impression if he if to get anywhere near that silver trophy. The Japanese finally takes a point off the 14th seed's serve, but a tremendous forehand on the run shows the range of Cilic's long levers. Hold completed with an unreturnable. If I was in to puns I'd be saying something like 'Cilic bang!' But I'm not that sort of bloke.
"Clever play, but there both players were so nervous on that final break point. Cilic tried to get it to Nishikori's forehand. Good solid play."
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 4-2 Nishikori
One, two saved. Nishikori's serve getting him out of trouble as Cilic nets consecutive returns. Now the Croat is in to the rally, both men dancing around the baseline. Cilic slicing and dicing...Nishikori is wide! Cilic breaks. First blood to the Croat.
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Cilic 3-2 Nishikori*
Ashe finally filling up, spectators in the top tier miles in the sky looking down on a blue rectangle surrounded by green. Nishikori at the far end, pressured to snapping by a leaping Cilic forehand. 0-30. Ooohhh, that's sloppy. Forehand netted. Three break points...
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Cilic 3-2 Nishikori*
APCopyright: AP
The energetic flapping of Old Glory high above Ashe tells us that it's a choppy old evening, chilly in NYC. The court may be slower in the colder conditions, but Cilic still bangs it down with plenty of Gs. Another hold to love, that's 11 consecutive points on serve for Cilic.
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Nuren Ahmed: The last 14 Grand Slam tourneys have either been won by Djokovic or his conqueror. Good news for Kei.
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*Cilic 2-2 Nishikori
"Find your seat," says the umpire to the late-comers as Nishikori prepares to serve. Once more, where have you been? You've had all day to be late. Firecracker of an opening rally, Nishikori literally jumping into every forehand. Bar one loose backhand in to the fish-catcher, another straightforward hold. Whipping through the early games.
"Cilic's forehand will decide the match. In the tight situations will it stick? If it does like it did against Federer he will win the title."
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Cilic 2-1 Nishikori*
Not a lot of noise inside Ashe as Nishikori's coach, Michael Chang, looks on. Black cap, worried look, Chang looks like a man playing poker. Cilic with his back to us, finding range with the bombs. A simple hold to love.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"A friend of mine in the dot.com industry was saying ticket prices went down the roof. You can get tickets for 350 dollars. But TV revenue has gone through the roof."
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*Cilic 1-1 Nishikori
Nishikori serves from under his white cap at the far end as we look. Cilic is already imposing himself, pressurising with a smash, with Nishikori then dumping into the net. 0-30. Nishikori under pressure, but his serve is reliable. As a plane swooshes over the Big Apple, Nishikori holds.
"It's very exciting. I was talking to a friend of mine who was saying he was not going to go because he was not excited and there was no Federer. But I think this will be an absolute ripper, a tight match all the way till the end."
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Cilic 1-0 Nishikori*
Ah, take that. Cilic finds range with the forehand, cross-court and on to the white paint. Cilic is struggling with landing the first serve, but he finally holds on when Nishikori can't control a forehand. Cilic holds and switches ends as the cameras show the spectators outside rushing to get in. Where have you been?
APCopyright: AP
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"It's a cold day, a little bit windy, that might affect Cilic's serve."
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*Cilic 0-0 Nishikori
The bearded Cilic puffs out his cheeks and gets a little excited with a forehand that would have left Nishikori flat-footed. 30-30. Ooofff, another errant forehand. Break point...
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Christopher Rowe: So many spaces in the Flushing Meadows stadium for a Grand Slam Final. Where are the spectators?
It's a very sparsely populated Ashe that the players emerge on to for the first set. Cilic to serve, with BBC Radio 5 live commentary arriving bang on time. One, two bounces of the ball. We're away.
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
Expert opinion
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe tells BBC Sport: "It's a tough one to call. Any time you have two guys that have never been there you don't know what's going to happen. This is one of those coin flips.
"Cilic has a little more left in the tank, Nishikori is the faster, but Cilic moves pretty well for his height. If both guys played well I would go with Cilic in four sets, but it could go either way. Both are going to be very nervous."
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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The players have walked out on to a windy early evening on the Arthur Ashe Stadium and have cuddled a moustachioed man before entering the knock-up. Both in mainly white with dark shorts, Nishikori is capped, while Cilic is hatless.
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
"After two weeks of scorching sun and sweltering humidity, it's overcast, breezy and - at 23C - relatively cool for the final day. The grounds of Flushing Meadows are bursting with Japanese fans and TV crews, and there are plenty of checker-board Croatia shirts on view as the atmosphere builds nicely.
"Boris Becker and Greg Rusedski were out among the crowds earlier, Maria Bueno just held a lift for me - it's quite a day already. And if past form is anything to go by, we should be in form a close contest, with no-one making any confident predictions."
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
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Jack Blackburn: Hope Cilic wins the #USOpen tonight. He's been a very good player for a good while, and he won't get a better chance.
JYM: It's time for Kei Nishikori to join the pantheon of legends. Do it for Japan. Come on.
Grant Campbell: I just feel Nishikori has run out of gas. I fancy Cilic in four long sets with at least one breaker.
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Got all that? Feeling up to speed on the two potential 2014 US Open men's singles champions? Then, my question is simple: who is going to win, and why? Text 81111, tweet using the hashtag #bbctennis, or head to the BBC Sport Facebook page.
Predictions not your bag? Then what's your take on this new-look Grand Slam final? Are you happy to see some new faces, or would it have been better with one of the old guard?
And, if we're talking about the end of a statistical era, then what about this? Has the tennis played by the Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray been the highest-quality sport of any kind in the past 10 years? If not, what has been?
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Like Nishikori's win over Djokovic, Cilic's gained most attention for his victory over Federer, but he was also impressive in seeing off world number six Tomas Berdych in the last eight.
Before that, Cilic had to deal with the likes of Marcos Baghdatis, Kevin Anderson and Gilles Simon.
In another similarity to Nishikori, Cilic has his own former Grand Slam winner acting as a coach, in the shape of another huge-serving Croat, Goran Ivanisevic.
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If Nishikori is built like a bus ticket, then 6ft 6in world number 12 Cilic is a brick hithouse.
A previous semi-finalist in Melbourne and twice a quarter-finalist in New York, the 25-year-old sat out last year's tournament while serving a ban after testing positive for nikethamide in April, with the original nine-month sanction reduced to four months on appeal -
Cilic claimed he had inadvertently taken the banned substance in an over-the-counter glucose tablet bought in a pharmacy, an explanation accepted by Roger Federer when the Swiss was asked after being beaten in Saturday's semi-final.
APCopyright: AP
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
"Kei Nishikori's semi-final finished at 4am in Japan and the nation will be gathering itself for a 6am start today. Such is the interest that we hear it will be shown on terrestrial television, after the rest of the tournament was only available through a subscription channel. Some prime-time breakfast TV viewing."
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
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While it might have been the four-set semi-final win over Novak Djokovic that caused the biggest sensation, Nishikori has also seen himself past Aussie Open champ Stan Wawrinka and fellow rising star Milos Raonic on the way to the final.
Before this year in New York, Nishikori's previous best Grand Slam performance was a run to the last eight in Melbourne in 2012.
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Starting with Nishikori, the 24-year-old world number eight from Shimane, Japan.
The man once nicknamed 'Project 45', in reference to compatriot Shuzo Matsuoka, who reached a career-high ranking of 46, pitched up at Nick Bollettieri's academy aged 14 and has lived in Florida ever since.
Often blighted by injuries, Nishikori linked up with former French Open champion Michael Chang in December.
And so to tonight, our final and the two men vying to become the sixth different US Open champion in seven years (Nadal twice, Federer, Murray, Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro are the others).
The giant, big-serving Croat against the little man (in tennis terms) who's big in Japan.
On a basic level, I can tell you in seven previous matches, Nishikori has beaten Cilic five times, with one win each at the US Open.
But there's so much more...
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Yep, while it's probably too early to say that this year's US Open is an end of an era - BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller still believes that Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray will be the men to beat in Australia in January - then it is certainly the continuation, and possibly most surprising occurrence, of a year that has seen the established order well and truly disturbed.
Stan Wawrinka's win in Australia, a French semi-final for Ernests Gulbis followed by runs to the last four for Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic at Wimbledon.
Now Nishikori and Cilic in New York. The times really are a-changin.
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Not since Marat Safin beat Lleyton Hewitt to win the 2005 Australian Open has a Grand Slam final taken place without any of those three names.
When would the dominance end? On one crazy Saturday at Flushing Meadows, we got our answer.
Not one, but two shock semi-final results. The bottom line? The 2014 US Open will see a new Grand Slam champion crowd.
Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic, your time is now.
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We could spend our time listing what has changed in those nine years, seven months and nine days, but it would be much easier to list the constants. Three of them to be precise.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
No more.
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A tenuous link, perhaps, but when Dylan told us about the changing times, he did so from a studio in New York City.
That was 41 years ago. Tonight, the Big Apple witnesses a change some 3,508 days in the making.
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It was Bob Dylan who told us that "the times, they are a-changin".
Live Reporting
Stephan Shemilt
All times stated are UK
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And that brings the 2014 Grand Slams to a close. After an up and down year, Serena Williams once more rules the women, but the men have a new sheriff in town.
Wawrinka in Australia, Gulbis in Paris, Kyrgios, Dimitrov and Raonic at Wimbledon.
The times really are a-changin. In New York, Marin Cilic's time is now.
Goodnight.
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
On Twitter: Eight different winners of the 2014 Grand Slam singles titles, first time since 1998. Fact.
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Arthur Ashe Stadium is emptying, fans wandering out into the New York night. That final took only one hour and 53 minutes. It's not even 7.30 in the evening in NYC. Those expecting it to go long will have to find themselves something else to do.
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At 16 in the world, Cilic is the lowest-ranked US Open winner since world number 17 Pete Sampras triumphed in 2002. Overall, he is the lowest-ranked Grand Slam champion since Gaston Gaudio (exactly) won the French Open from 44th.
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Cilic has already let go of the trophy and has his bag on his back, signing autographs for fans on the front row. His success tonight completes a 10-year stretch that has seen only eight different Grand Slam champions. He has also lifted himself to fifth on the Race to London. Andy Murray is down in 11th.
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Arthur Hunter: Isn't it slightly random that all 5 sets of the singles finals at the US Open have finished 6-3?
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"I thought this would go down to the wire. Cilic had more power but I wouldn't say he was red hot. Nishikori will be very disappointed with his performance. He has a game to trouble Cilic but did not challenge today."
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There it is. Marin Cilic gets his hands on the US Open trophy for the first time. He kisses the silver and holds it aloft. Chants in the crowd and music over the speakers as he poses in front of photographers. Dream-like moments.
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2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic: "I don't know how I did it. It was hard work over the last few years. My team especially Goran has brought something to me. The most important thing he brought was to enjoy my tennis and have fun.
"It has been the best tournament of my life.
"You never know when the nerves will kick in. We were both nervous in the first set. I was lucky to get the break points. Everything I was dreaming for came today.
"This is a big sign if you work hard it will pay off.
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Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Flushing Meadows
"Goran Ivanisevic is looking very emotional - trying to fight back the tears."
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Cilic to the microphone. He looks like he could play three more sets. Nearly time for that silver trophy...
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Kei Nishikori: "He played really well today, I couldn't play my tennis. I want to congratulate Marin. It's a tough loss, but I'm really happy. I want to thank my team. I'm sorry I couldn't get the trophy today.
"It was a fun two weeks here. I want to to thank everyone who makes this wonderful tournament happen."
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Trophy ceremony coming up, the players about to speak.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"These two players are the nicest of guys. Very polite and humble. I'm very pleased for the both of them."
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Fiona: Fantastic! I have been thrilled to watch Cilic several times on outside courts at Wimbledon and have always loved the way he plays. I am so happy for him to win a grand slam, he really deserves it.
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The stars and stripes are on court for the presentation, but Cilic has to wait a moment or two before he can get his hands on the trophy and the cheque for $3m. The Croat is also trying to phone someone. "I've won!"
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One Republic's Counting Stars plays in New York. Count them, then add one more - Marin Cilic. His smile is as wide as the Hudson River, while Kei Nishikori is on his seat, removing his ankle support. For every first-time winner, there is a first-time final loser.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Who would have picked Cilic at the beginning of the tournament? But what a performance. The last three matches have been in straight sets: Berdych, Federer and the final. It's an unbelievable performance. It's been done with ice in his veins."
Marin Cilic wins the 2014 US Open
Cilic 6-3 6-3 6-3 Nishikori
The new name on the US Open trophy will be that of Marin Cilic. A backhand winner leaves Kei Nishikori chasing shadows. Cilic, a maiden Grand Slam winner, is on the floor, then climbing to his box for a hug with Goran Ivanisevic. A year ago, Cilic was not allowed to play. Tonight, he is a Grand Slam champion.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 40-15 Nishikori
Double fault! A first sign of nerves. Two match points...
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 40-0 Nishikori
Nishikori backhand long. Three match points. Marin Cilic, this is your time...
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 30-0 Nishikori
Repeat. Two points needed.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 15-0 Nishikori
Unreturned. One down, three to go.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-3 Nishikori
The lights taking effect, but they might not be needed for too long. A Croatian fist pump when Nishikori goes to the net, but a rueful cry when he dumps one of his own. A backhand-forehand combo from Nishikori succeeds, but a backhand from deep is long. 30-30. Pressure. An ace! The patient has a pulse and stays alive when Cilic goes long. Now, though, he will serve for the 2014 US Open.
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"With two first time finalists you know your opponent will get tight. And Nishikori had to take the opportunity when it came to him."
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 5-2 Nishikori*
Dependability? Thy name is the Marin Cilic serve. I'm sure I hear someone in the crowd say "this is boring". You're a fool, because this is brilliant. Net-cord, Cilic drops, Nishikori scampers, the lunge just wide. When Cilic lands yet another serve, a backhand down the line sends Nishikori to the point of no return.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-2 Nishikori
Marin Cilic is absolutely nerveless. When serving for the match against Federer, his serve rained down aces. Now, his serve is digging him out of a hole when the US Open title is within touching distance. 40-40. What about the forehand? Not so much. Another break point...
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-2 Nishikori
Hang on, do we have a twist? Twice Cilic's backhand breaks down to bring the crowd to life. 15-30. Another idiot shouts out as the serve comes down. Can someone please throw him out? Now the forehand lets Cilic down. Two break points...
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"That was Nishikori's best game of the match."
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-2 Nishikori
Nishikori goes to the far end and orders a sake from the last-chance saloon. A fool in the crowd shouts as Nishikori serves, but it has little effect as Cilic stretches and fails to get it back. 40-0. Nishikori, strangely re-energised, gets huge whoops as a forehand doesn't come back. He's still fighting. Just.
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Alex Haworth: Massive anticlimax, but at least I won't be too tired at work tomorrow.
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 4-1 Nishikori*
Cilic knows that he only has to rely on his trusty serve three more times. Twelve points. It's been broken only once all night, and rarely threatened elsewhere. Again he's banging down the bombs, putting officials in danger as he peppers the back wall. Nishikori is leaping in to the ball so often he could collect air miles, but Cilic is done with a smash.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Nishikori has just not been able to win the long rallies. He is up against a bigger man hitting the ball harder."
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 6-3 6-3 3-1 Nishikori
Ball game. Marin Cilic breaks in the third at the end of the longest rally of the match. It's wonderful stuff. Forehand exchange, then backhand. In the end, Nishikori breaks down, losing his backhand. Marin Cilic is three games away from the US Open title.
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 2-1 Nishikori*
From now on, every Nishikori service game is fraught with danger, the 10th seed knowing that a mistake could spell the end. The handbrake is off with a dancing forehand into open court, complete with fist pump, but energy levels look low when Cilic finds range with a forehand of his own. 15-30. Now Nishikori is inexplicably into the net. Two break points...
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 2-1 Nishikori*
Cilic with his back to us, wiping his brow on his sleeve before tossing the ball into the New York evening. Bounce, belt, repeat. In a rare occurrence of Nishikori stepping up into the baseline, Cilic is floundering, but a wonderful drop leaves the Japanese stranded at the net. 40-15. An ace completes it. One step closer to glory.
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Paul Sawyer: Nishikori looking a little dead on his feet now, would be a hell of a come back if he can get back into this.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 1-1 Nishikori
Nishikori blows on his fingers like a man selecting a bowling ball. Slicey dicey, but a leaping backhand is sent to the net. 40-40. Oh that's good, a first ace of the final has Cilic groping in the dark. Now Nishikori finally bosses a point, sending Cilic all over the baseline before the Croat surrenders. Noise levels cranked up in NYC.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Nishikori's trying everything but he can't put anything together. Sometimes the harder you try it does not drop in. You can't pull three or four rallies in."
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Cilic 6-3 6-3 1-0 Nishikori*
Every Cilic point is greeted with disappointed "aaahs" in the crowd. Every Nishikori point comes with whoops of delight. Those late-comers want more tennis. Twice Cilic goes to the big first serve to finally complete a hold. Pressure on Nishikori now. One more break could be terminal.
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*Cilic 6-3 6-3 Nishikori
The last man to come from two sets down to win the US Open final was Pancho Gonzales in 1949. Marin Cilic has never lost from two sets up. Good news for Kei Nishikori, eh? Perhaps Bruce Willis is a Nishikori fan. He doesn't look very happy. Either that, or a random woman is trying to take pictures of him. Hello, what's happening here? Cilic to 40-0, but back to 40-40 with mistakes and a double fault. Wonderful rally this, Nishikori scampering, Cilic finding the lines. Nishikori, looking shattered, goes long, but a net-cord sends Cilic out of bounds. On we go...
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"Once Cilic strikes a winner it is not coming back."
Game and second set
Cilic 6-3 6-3 Nishikori
This might not go too long into the night. Marin Cilic has a two-set lead, sealed with a down-the-line forehand that hunts the corner. Too good. The Croat clenches his first and flashes a look to his box. What can Kei Nishikori do? At the moment, nothing.
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Cilic 6-3 5-3 Nishikori*
Ooohhhs and aaahhhs as Nishikori gets sloppy with a forehand. Even more groans when the Cilic defence forces Nishikori into an awkward smash. Netted. Set point...
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"I spent lots of time with Goran on the legends' tour. Goran reckons Marin overthinks. He just wants him to serve. He has stopped him thinking and got him playing his natural game."
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Cilic 6-3 5-3 Nishikori*
Brilliant serving from Cilic, saving two breakers, but the first error of judgement from Cilic gives Nishikori another chance. Poor challenge, the ball shown to have clipped the baseline. Another break point for Nishikori, this time taken when Cilic gives a forehand too many beans. A ray of light?
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*Cilic 6-3 5-2 Nishikori
Cilic, tall and slender, bounces the ball before serving, grimacing when he puts a forehand long. "Come on Kei," from the crowd. Nishikori battling, getting more chants from the crowd when Cilic dumps a backhand into the net. Two break points....
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Nishikori's head is bowed and he looks very concerned. He needs to toughen it out and stop making mistakes. Nishikori's work has not been there. Maybe all the pressure is getting to him, he's not settled. He's been rushed just like Roger Federer was. Cilic does not give your rhythm. He reminds you of Del Potro, the courts are faster this year."
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 6-3 5-2 Nishikori
Marin Cilic is dismantling Kei Nishikori in this US Open final. A second break in this second set is greeted with a simple clench of the first. He will return from his chair to serve for a two-set lead. Surely there would be no way back from Nishikori? So far, it hasn't been a contest.
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Cilic 6-3 4-2 Nishikori*
Nishikori is looking for new ways to force the issues, while Cilic is all beard, calmness, and ball punishment. To the net, forehand winner. Two break points...
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Cilic 6-3 4-2 Nishikori*
Cilic, a smear of green and black on white his white shirt, is holding too quickly for a text commentator to keep up. One ace. Two aces. Three aces. Four aces. Nishikori doesn't even feel ball on racquet. Ten in the match for Mighty Marin.
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Adam Haigh: 5 sets v Raonic, 5 sets v Wawrinka, 4 sets v Djokovic, are all those hours on court finally catching up with Nishikori?
Fraser Marnie: Poor Kei, he looks like a rabbit in the headlights at the moment. I fear for him now, especially if this second goes quickly.
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*Cilic 6-3 3-2 Nishikori
I'm told that our umpire's mate is holding a sound boom. Surely, in 2014, sound recording has moved on past a man following the ball with a microphone? Either way, he's doing a good job. Nishikori more settled in this service game, a hold to love completed when Cilic shanks when the open court was at his mercy. Extra loud cheers, or maybe not that loud and just magnified by our boom man.
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Cilic 6-3 3-1 Nishikori*
Saved with aplomb, the second brushed aside with a line-hunting ace. Nishikori has had three break points in this match and is yet to take one. Back on track, Cilic pressurises Nishikori with a huge serve and some booming forehands. As the floodlights come on, Nishikori is in the dark.
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*Cilic 6-3 2-1 Nishikori
I've still not found out what that chap sitting next to the chair umpire does. He has what looks like a camera constantly trained on the flight of the ball. A speed gun? No idea. Nishikori hands a couple of racquets to a ball-boy and is cheered by a crowd that seems to be behind him when Cilic goes long for 15-30. Then into the net. Two break-back points for Nishikori...
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Jenni: This has been a very slow and sluggish start from Nishikori tonight. You can tell that this is the biggest game of his career so far, he's in danger of allowing the occasion get the better of him. He really needs to dig in here.
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 6-3 2-1 Nishikori
Are we already close to knowing who the next Grand Slam champion will be? Marin Cilic is a set and a break up. It's another error from Kei Nishikori, who had shown such tenacity to get back into the game. In the end, though, a backhand to the net handed it to Cilic, who is bulldozing his way through this final.
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Cilic 6-3 1-1 Nishikori*
What a way to save a third break point. Two good serves get Nishikori back in it, with a huge exchange needed for the third. Nishikori gets the advantage of a net-cord, then pulls out an audacious drop shot. Cilic, lead-footed, can only smile. He gets another chance with a jackhammer of a forehand.
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Cilic 6-3 1-1 Nishikori*
Nishikori is a shadow of the man who beat Novak Djokovic. Despite the crowd's efforts to get behind him, the error count is creeping up. Two wild backhands and a forehand give Cilic three break points...
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Cilic 6-3 1-1 Nishikori*
Where did I put my celeb-spot claxon? Michael J Fox applauds, a few seats away from Virginia Wade. One famous for their tennis, one not. Back to the 80s. Another easy hold for Cilic, who, despite towelling down, isn't losing much sweat. He's lost only five points on serve.
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*Cilic 6-3 0-1 Nishikori
In that first set, Cilic won 91% of the points when he landed his first serve. That's the sort of tennis that would please Goran Ivanisevic. Just picking up on Piers Newbery's earlier point about his match starting at 5pm local time - what sort of madness is that? We're back to Sunday finals next year. Nishikori serving at the start of the second, holding to huge cheers with a gorgeous forehand down the line.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Cilic turned around very calmly towards his coach at the end of that set to say 'I'm on my way'. Nishikori needs to get the blood pumping. Cilic is winning a few points a game with that big serve."
Game and first set
Cilic 6-3 Nishikori
That will do nicely. In just 33 minutes, Marin Cilic is a third of the way to his first Grand Slam title. Another huge serve, Cilic into the net, only for the ball not to come back. The Croat is dictating play, serving well and mixing his play. Kei Nishikori just hasn't settled and must find a way to disrupt the big man.
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*Cilic 5-3 (40-0) Nishikori
This is a huge backhand exchange...cross-court, then slicing...Nishikori wide. 15-0. This is far too good from Cilic, in to the net and angling a deft volley that Nishikori can't chase down. 30-0. Now the Japenese is long. Three set points...
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*Cilic 5-3 Nishikori
Nishikori, watch on his left wrist, blows hard as he looks for the weapons to trouble the huge hitting of Cilic. Better from the Japanese, moving Cilic around the court. That's too good, though, a double-hander down the line from Cilic. 30-30. When Cilic can't get a serve back, Nishikori beats his chest and completes the hold. Business time...
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
"There is much discussion about the half-empty stands, another reason why scheduling a major sporting event at 5pm on a Monday isn't ideal. Maybe they've all nipped home to get jumpers, it's pretty parky halfway up so must be teeth-chattering at the top of the stadium. The stiff breeze is not helping the tennis much either."
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Cilic 5-2 Nishikori*
Players on their chairs, Cilic towelling down. Music plays, you wouldn't have that at SW19, would you? Nishikori serving to stay in the first set, new balls on his strings. Hello, what's this? Nishikori not happy with the batch, the ball kids giving them to the umpire. It looks they've been given the OK...
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Andrew: Nishikori has worked miracles to reach this US Open final, but you simply can't see past the Marin Cilic serve, and couple that with his years of ATP tour experience. You have to think that Nishikori is going to have to produce yet another thrilling display to win, Cilic on the other hand just has to play to his strengths.
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Cilic 5-2 Nishikori*
So, we've learned that Cilic isn't all about the serve, but it's the Cilic serve on which Nishikori must make an impression if he if to get anywhere near that silver trophy. The Japanese finally takes a point off the 14th seed's serve, but a tremendous forehand on the run shows the range of Cilic's long levers. Hold completed with an unreturnable. If I was in to puns I'd be saying something like 'Cilic bang!' But I'm not that sort of bloke.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Clever play, but there both players were so nervous on that final break point. Cilic tried to get it to Nishikori's forehand. Good solid play."
Cilic breaks
*Cilic 4-2 Nishikori
One, two saved. Nishikori's serve getting him out of trouble as Cilic nets consecutive returns. Now the Croat is in to the rally, both men dancing around the baseline. Cilic slicing and dicing...Nishikori is wide! Cilic breaks. First blood to the Croat.
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Cilic 3-2 Nishikori*
Ashe finally filling up, spectators in the top tier miles in the sky looking down on a blue rectangle surrounded by green. Nishikori at the far end, pressured to snapping by a leaping Cilic forehand. 0-30. Ooohhh, that's sloppy. Forehand netted. Three break points...
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Cilic 3-2 Nishikori*
The energetic flapping of Old Glory high above Ashe tells us that it's a choppy old evening, chilly in NYC. The court may be slower in the colder conditions, but Cilic still bangs it down with plenty of Gs. Another hold to love, that's 11 consecutive points on serve for Cilic.
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Nuren Ahmed: The last 14 Grand Slam tourneys have either been won by Djokovic or his conqueror. Good news for Kei.
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*Cilic 2-2 Nishikori
"Find your seat," says the umpire to the late-comers as Nishikori prepares to serve. Once more, where have you been? You've had all day to be late. Firecracker of an opening rally, Nishikori literally jumping into every forehand. Bar one loose backhand in to the fish-catcher, another straightforward hold. Whipping through the early games.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"Cilic's forehand will decide the match. In the tight situations will it stick? If it does like it did against Federer he will win the title."
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Cilic 2-1 Nishikori*
Not a lot of noise inside Ashe as Nishikori's coach, Michael Chang, looks on. Black cap, worried look, Chang looks like a man playing poker. Cilic with his back to us, finding range with the bombs. A simple hold to love.
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"A friend of mine in the dot.com industry was saying ticket prices went down the roof. You can get tickets for 350 dollars. But TV revenue has gone through the roof."
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*Cilic 1-1 Nishikori
Nishikori serves from under his white cap at the far end as we look. Cilic is already imposing himself, pressurising with a smash, with Nishikori then dumping into the net. 0-30. Nishikori under pressure, but his serve is reliable. As a plane swooshes over the Big Apple, Nishikori holds.
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Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live
"It's very exciting. I was talking to a friend of mine who was saying he was not going to go because he was not excited and there was no Federer. But I think this will be an absolute ripper, a tight match all the way till the end."
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Cilic 1-0 Nishikori*
Ah, take that. Cilic finds range with the forehand, cross-court and on to the white paint. Cilic is struggling with landing the first serve, but he finally holds on when Nishikori can't control a forehand. Cilic holds and switches ends as the cameras show the spectators outside rushing to get in. Where have you been?
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live
"It's a cold day, a little bit windy, that might affect Cilic's serve."
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*Cilic 0-0 Nishikori
The bearded Cilic puffs out his cheeks and gets a little excited with a forehand that would have left Nishikori flat-footed. 30-30. Ooofff, another errant forehand. Break point...
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Christopher Rowe: So many spaces in the Flushing Meadows stadium for a Grand Slam Final. Where are the spectators?
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BBC Radio 5 live
It's a very sparsely populated Ashe that the players emerge on to for the first set. Cilic to serve, with BBC Radio 5 live commentary arriving bang on time. One, two bounces of the ball. We're away.
Expert opinion
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe tells BBC Sport: "It's a tough one to call. Any time you have two guys that have never been there you don't know what's going to happen. This is one of those coin flips.
"Cilic has a little more left in the tank, Nishikori is the faster, but Cilic moves pretty well for his height. If both guys played well I would go with Cilic in four sets, but it could go either way. Both are going to be very nervous."
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The players have walked out on to a windy early evening on the Arthur Ashe Stadium and have cuddled a moustachioed man before entering the knock-up. Both in mainly white with dark shorts, Nishikori is capped, while Cilic is hatless.
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
"After two weeks of scorching sun and sweltering humidity, it's overcast, breezy and - at 23C - relatively cool for the final day. The grounds of Flushing Meadows are bursting with Japanese fans and TV crews, and there are plenty of checker-board Croatia shirts on view as the atmosphere builds nicely.
"Boris Becker and Greg Rusedski were out among the crowds earlier, Maria Bueno just held a lift for me - it's quite a day already. And if past form is anything to go by, we should be in form a close contest, with no-one making any confident predictions."
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Jack Blackburn: Hope Cilic wins the #USOpen tonight. He's been a very good player for a good while, and he won't get a better chance.
JYM: It's time for Kei Nishikori to join the pantheon of legends. Do it for Japan. Come on.
Grant Campbell: I just feel Nishikori has run out of gas. I fancy Cilic in four long sets with at least one breaker.
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Got all that? Feeling up to speed on the two potential 2014 US Open men's singles champions? Then, my question is simple: who is going to win, and why? Text 81111, tweet using the hashtag #bbctennis, or head to the BBC Sport Facebook page.
Predictions not your bag? Then what's your take on this new-look Grand Slam final? Are you happy to see some new faces, or would it have been better with one of the old guard?
And, if we're talking about the end of a statistical era, then what about this? Has the tennis played by the Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray been the highest-quality sport of any kind in the past 10 years? If not, what has been?
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Like Nishikori's win over Djokovic, Cilic's gained most attention for his victory over Federer, but he was also impressive in seeing off world number six Tomas Berdych in the last eight.
Before that, Cilic had to deal with the likes of Marcos Baghdatis, Kevin Anderson and Gilles Simon.
In another similarity to Nishikori, Cilic has his own former Grand Slam winner acting as a coach, in the shape of another huge-serving Croat, Goran Ivanisevic.
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If Nishikori is built like a bus ticket, then 6ft 6in world number 12 Cilic is a brick hithouse.
A previous semi-finalist in Melbourne and twice a quarter-finalist in New York, the 25-year-old sat out last year's tournament while serving a ban after testing positive for nikethamide in April, with the original nine-month sanction reduced to four months on appeal -
Cilic claimed he had inadvertently taken the banned substance in an over-the-counter glucose tablet bought in a pharmacy, an explanation accepted by Roger Federer when the Swiss was asked after being beaten in Saturday's semi-final.
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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows
"Kei Nishikori's semi-final finished at 4am in Japan and the nation will be gathering itself for a 6am start today. Such is the interest that we hear it will be shown on terrestrial television, after the rest of the tournament was only available through a subscription channel. Some prime-time breakfast TV viewing."
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While it might have been the four-set semi-final win over Novak Djokovic that caused the biggest sensation, Nishikori has also seen himself past Aussie Open champ Stan Wawrinka and fellow rising star Milos Raonic on the way to the final.
Before this year in New York, Nishikori's previous best Grand Slam performance was a run to the last eight in Melbourne in 2012.
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Starting with Nishikori, the 24-year-old world number eight from Shimane, Japan.
The man once nicknamed 'Project 45', in reference to compatriot Shuzo Matsuoka, who reached a career-high ranking of 46, pitched up at Nick Bollettieri's academy aged 14 and has lived in Florida ever since.
Often blighted by injuries, Nishikori linked up with former French Open champion Michael Chang in December.
Since then, Nishikori has seen his world ranking rise from 17 and reached his first Masters final in Madrid in May.
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And so to tonight, our final and the two men vying to become the sixth different US Open champion in seven years (Nadal twice, Federer, Murray, Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro are the others).
The giant, big-serving Croat against the little man (in tennis terms) who's big in Japan.
On a basic level, I can tell you in seven previous matches, Nishikori has beaten Cilic five times, with one win each at the US Open.
But there's so much more...
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Yep, while it's probably too early to say that this year's US Open is an end of an era - BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller still believes that Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray will be the men to beat in Australia in January - then it is certainly the continuation, and possibly most surprising occurrence, of a year that has seen the established order well and truly disturbed.
Stan Wawrinka's win in Australia, a French semi-final for Ernests Gulbis followed by runs to the last four for Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic at Wimbledon.
Now Nishikori and Cilic in New York. The times really are a-changin.
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Not since Marat Safin beat Lleyton Hewitt to win the 2005 Australian Open has a Grand Slam final taken place without any of those three names.
When would the dominance end? On one crazy Saturday at Flushing Meadows, we got our answer.
Not one, but two shock semi-final results. The bottom line? The 2014 US Open will see a new Grand Slam champion crowd.
Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic, your time is now.
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We could spend our time listing what has changed in those nine years, seven months and nine days, but it would be much easier to list the constants. Three of them to be precise.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
No more.
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A tenuous link, perhaps, but when Dylan told us about the changing times, he did so from a studio in New York City.
That was 41 years ago. Tonight, the Big Apple witnesses a change some 3,508 days in the making.
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It was Bob Dylan who told us that "the times, they are a-changin".
Dylan liked his tennis, you know. There's even pictures of him playing with George Harrison. In jeans.