“I don’t know what’s going on…”
Kei Nishikori’s first words after he stunned Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals became even more apt by the end of the day when Marin Cilic had disposed of Roger Federer in straight sets.
For the first time in over nine years, a grand slam final lineup will not include Djokovic, Federer or Rafael Nadal.
That’s 38 majors. Some players have had careers that are shorter than that!
What started as a regular Semi-finals Saturday in New York quickly turned into Stupefying Saturday as Nishikori and Cilic combined to deliver a knockout punch that interrupted almost a decade of ‘Big Four’ dominance at majors.
Granted, Stan Wawrinka’s win at the Australian Open earlier this season was arguably the catalyst for all this but to many, there was always going to be a small asterisk next to the Swiss’ achievement because of Nadal’s back problem during that Melbourne final.
Saturday’s semis at the Open however require no asterisk. Nishikori and Cilic have emerged as worthy contenders for the crown at Flushing Meadows.
In hot and humid conditions, Nishikori, who was coming off back-to-back four-hour five-set encounters, beat Djokovic at his very own game.
If you can take the ball early, I can take it earlier. If you can crush your double-handed backhand hard, I can crush it harder. If you’ve gone gluten-free and are now miraculously immune to fatigue, I can still last longer.
Those were the kind of statements Nishikori was making with his tennis on court.
The gulf in experience at this stage was supposed to translate into more nerves from Nishikori than Djokovic. But it was the Japanese world No11 who was ice cold at the crucial moments.
With both players having a legend-coach in their corner, it was Michael Chang who proved more vital than Boris Becker. Chang has managed to bolster Nishikori’s mental strength while pushing his student to get past his physical fragileness.
The fact that Nishikori was close to skipping the US Open having removed a cyst from his foot barely three weeks from kick-off makes his New York run even more remarkable.
Meanwhile, Becker hasn’t been able to tap into Djokovic’s psyche in the same way. The German was meant to help the Serb avoid grand slam blips but barring Wimbledon, there has been little evidence of Becker’s impact on his pupil.
Like Chang, Goran Ivanisevic has also instilled confidence in his protégée, Cilic. Stepping on court after witnessing that kind of upset, the Croat came out blasting against Federer.
The way Cilic served out the match, hitting three aces and a down-the-line backhand winner sum up the world No16’s three-set victory. He out-bossed the boss!
To say this is the end of the ‘Big Four’ would be an unwise overreaction. This is no changing of the guard nor the end of an era. But it is huge nonetheless and has breathed new life into the men’s competition.
By tonight, Asia – a continent that holds 60 per cent of the world population – could have its first-ever male grand slam singles champion should Nishikori win. Croatia could have its first since Ivanisevic won Wimbledon in 2001. And we’ll witness the first final between two non-top-10 players in 12 years.
