Cilic cruising at 40-0, but he double faults - his first of the match - and that is enough to spark a "come on" from Federer. The second seed upping the ante from the baseline... thud, thud, thud... the pair trading blows until a Cilic backhand trickles towards the tape. 40-30. Nervous? Federer thinks Cilic has overcooked a forehand... replays prove otherwise. It had actually kissed the line and onwards and upwards goes Cilic.

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Cilic has never been to a Grand Slam final before. Dreams are not that far apart from belief. If Cilic can get another set on the board he will really start believing he can win this match."

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That was only the third set Cilic has won against Federer in six meetings. Just when you started to wonder whether Cilic had much left up his sleeve, he whips up a smart down-the-line winner on the opening point of Federer's serve. Two ore points follow - Federer netting on the forehand - three break points Cilic.

"Come on," grunts Federer as Cilic plonks a forehand into the tape. More shouting from the Swiss when Cilic fails to return. 30-40. But Cilic with a red-hot return and Federer falters. Strange things are happening in the Big Apple.

A couple of bludgeoning forehands from Cilic into the Federer backhand has the Swiss on his heels. The second seed defends stoutly, but it is no surprise when he eventually nets. Fabulous from Cilic! Passing Federer with a tasty backhand winner and he confidently secures the set with an ace down the middle. Federer must find a way to tame the big serving Croat.

Ahmed:, external "Looks like Cilic knows what Federer is going to do before Federer even knows. He looks like a reborn player. Wow."

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Federer, too, treating us to a serving master class. A fourth ace of the match, then a fifth... his serve as reliable as his country's clocks. An easy peasy lemon squeezy hold to 15. Cilic to serve for the set.

Cilic serving like Ivanisevic in his pomp. A classy ace to the wings inches him a step closer to the first set. Federer unable to launch an all-out attack, such is the power of the Cilic missiles. Four aces so far from the Croat.

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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"This is the biggest game of the set, the last before new balls, which will be slower, so it is Federer's best chance to break back. Federer needs to read the serve well and counter-act Cilic's power."

Gasps of admiration from the spectators at Federer's perfectly-weighted drop shot. Cilic, who met Federer in the 2011 US Open but lost in four sets, continuing with his aggressive ploy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Ultimately, it's a trouble-free hold to 30 for Federer.

The sun peeks out from the clouds just in time to see Cilic drilling a backhand long, presenting Federer with a break point. Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, who is Cilic's coach, applauds as his pupil sees off the danger with a couple of overheads. A 127mph bazooka takes the 14th seed to advantage and Cilic holds firm with another razor-sharp serve.

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Cilic chases a Federer drop shot, but the 28-year-old Croat hasn't quite got the speed to collect. Federer in control at 40-15, but Cilic reins in his opponent - aggression from the baseline paying off. Cilic pouncing on a tame Federer serve for break point. The world number 16 creeps closer and closer to the tape... Federer nets Cilic's crunching volley. Federer is broken! The tennis Gods are playing mind games with us this evening.

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"If you look at the stats in this tournament Federer has won 100 more points than Cilic at the net. Cilic's coach Goran Ivanisevic will tell his player he has to be able to stop Federer from coming to the net. He has the power to do that. But Stefan Edberg, Federer's coach, will be telling his man to get into the net."

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It feels as if the crowd are using these opening exchanges to catch their breaths after the excitement of the previous semi-final. The simply look on in silence as Cilic rapidly collects four points for a hold to love.

"You think you can serve?" Federer asks Cilic. "Take a look at this," the second seed adds, rattling off two quick-fire aces to bring a straightforward hold to a conclusion.

For those of you interested in Federer's clobber, he is sporting a turquoise top with aqua blue trim, which happens to be the same colour as his sorts. It's as if he carefully plans his outfit weeks in advance. Luminous pink sweat bands, however, are a sartorial question mark.

Cilic, who hasn't beaten the second seed in five encounters, to serve first. A howitzer of an ace from Cilic to level at 15-15. A stonking forehand winner for 30-15. The first mammoth rally of the game goes to Federer, thanks to a sweetly-struck forehand into the corner. The Federer forehand was a problem during the quarter-final against Monfils, but has quickly found his grove. The Croat comes away with a hold, though.

Image source, Getty Images

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Roger Federer and Marin Cilic are on court, knocking up before a sparse crowd. Those ticket holders who quickly ran away from the rain-filled clouds are slowly making their way back onto Ashe.

Boris Becker, Novak Djokovic's coach, on Sky Sports: "Too many unforced errors, too many short balls, he invited Nishikori to go for the winners. He played best when it mattered most but I think the key was the third set, Novak had a couple of break points and I think that's where the momentum shifted.

"He obviously wanted to win the tournament and that cannot be done all the time. He really felt that after the quarter-final he was in a good position. Kei was the better player and he deserved to win. Once the sun hits you, you're affected, you cannot think straight anymore."

World number one Novak Djokovic after losing to Kei Nishikori: "He played some great tennis and I congratulate him for his effort, he was a better player than me."

Djokovic on how Nishikori has improved: "He wasn't using forehand as well as he does now. His backhand is very solid, really aggressive, he's very quick so he gets a lot of balls back and uses every short ball to attack. Now he's all all-round player."