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...

Image source, Reuters

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live

"Once Cilic strikes a winner it is not coming back."

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.

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...

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."

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?

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....

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."

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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.

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...

Image source, 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.

Adam Haigh:, external 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:, external Poor Kei, he looks like a rabbit in the headlights at the moment. I fear for him now, especially if this second goes quickly.

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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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.

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...

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.

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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.

Image source, 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.

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...

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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