US Open 2014: Players buoyed by Stan Wawrinka's Grand Slam win
- Published
US Open Men's Final, Flushing Meadows |
|---|
Date: Monday, 8 September Time: 22:00 BST Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, online, tablets, mobiles and the BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary |
US Open finalist Marin Cilic believes Stan Wawrinka's Australian Open triumph opened the door for the next generation of Grand Slam champions.
Cilic meets Japan's Kei Nishikori on Monday in the first Grand Slam final without Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal since January 2005.
"Wawrinka opened the doors for us from the second group," said the Croat.
"Most of the guys have now bigger belief they can do it at the Grand Slams. It's a bit of a change-up year."
Cilic, 25, who is coached by 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, added: "Kei beat Wawrinka, Novak, and Milos Raonic, so he's played an amazing, amazing tournament. I think it's going to be extremely interesting for the next several Grand Slams."
Tennis expert Jeff Tarango on 5 live sports extra |
|---|
"In terms of the final, Kei Nishikori is quicker and has a better backhand cross-court, even though it is Marin Cilic's best shot. I don't think Nishikori can win another five-setter. |
"If Cilic gets one of the first two sets I think he can wear down Nishikori. But no matter what stage of the match Nishikori will have a game plan because he has Michael Chang in his camp." |
Switzerland's Wawrinka, Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Murray are the only players to win a Grand Slam title, other than Nadal, Djokovic and Federer, since Marat Safin's victory at the Australian Open in 2005.
Nishikori and Cilic, who are both currently ranked outside the top 10, claimed surprise respective wins over the top seeds, Djokovic and Federer, in the semi-finals.
Having been tipped as stars of the future in recent years, Ernests Gulbis, Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov have also moved closer to making a breakthrough after all made Grand Slam semi-finals this season.
Nishikori, who has 1989 French Open winner Michael Chang in his coaching corner, is the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam men's singles final, and the 24-year-old's run is all the more remarkable considering he was a doubt for the tournament after undergoing minor toe surgery.
Nishikori v Cilic head-to-head |
|---|
2008: Indian Wells (Hard) R128 Cilic 6-2 6-4 |
2010: US Open (Hard) R64 Nishikori 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-1 |
2011: Chennai (Hard) R32 Nishikori 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-2 |
2012: US Open (Hard) R32 Cilic 6-3 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 |
2013: Memphis (Hard) QF Nishikori 6-4 6-2 |
2014: Brisbane (Hard) QF Nishikori 6-4 5-7 6-2 |
2014: Barcelona (Clay) QF Nishikori 6-1 6-3 |
Total: Nishikori 5-2 Cilic |
"I didn't even know if I should come to New York, so I wasn't expecting anything," he said.
"But after playing my first match and second match, I got more confidence in my foot and there was no pain. My tennis was there already. I may have to rest for three weeks before every Grand Slam!"
He continued: "I am very happy to make another piece of history. I hope I can win and make more. I hope there will be a lot of people watching in Japan."
Nishikori is the first Japanese male to compete in a Grand Slam singles final
- Published7 September 2014
- Published8 September 2014
- Published6 September 2014
- Published6 September 2014
- Published7 September 2014
- Published17 June 2019
