23:41 GMT – Cilic routs Nishikori to win US Open, first Grand Slam – AFP IS NOW CLOSING THIS LIVE REPORT after Croatia’s Marin Cilic won his first US Open title — and his first Grand Slam title — on Monday with a convincing 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
The 14th-seeded 25-year-old Croat with the booming serve has a style much like his coach Goran Ivanisevic, the last Croatian man to win a Grand Slam singles championship at Wimbledon in 2001.
It also comes 12 months after he was forced to skip the tournament to serve out a controversial doping ban.
He takes home $3 million for the win, which came after a semi-final victory over five-time champion Roger Federer.
It was a disappointing afternoon for the 24-year-old Nishikori, the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
But he had a stellar run to the final, which included wins over world number one Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic.
Read on to find out how today’s final unfolded — and thanks for checking out our live report!
23:31 GMT – All in the numbers – Cilic beat Nishikori, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
On Sunday, Serena Williams beat Caroline Wozniacki in the women’s final, 6-3, 6-3.
Same score in all of the sets. Weird.
23:26 GMT – Monday is the day – Cilic notes that Goran Ivanisevic also won his Wimbledon title on a Monday, saying it must be a “special day for Croatians.”
“I was waiting for this and working for this for a very long time,” he says.
23:19 GMT – In Japan, disappointment… and pride – In Tokyo, fans are disappointed that Nishikori could not pull it out, but proud of their tennis star.
At the sports bar, there is a collective groan of despair as Cilic ends Japanese dreams of Grand Slam glory. Fans file out into the morning sunshine, headed to work, Al Himmer reports.
“What can you do?” several exclaim.
“I’m so proud of Nishikori even if he lost. He did a great job and all Japanese people should be proud,” says 24-year-old stylist Hotaru Shoda.
23:15 GMT – Celebration in Zagreb – The crowd in Zagreb is ecstatic, AFP’s Lajla Veselica reports.
“Bravo, Marin! Bravo!” shout the few hundred supporters in the Croatian capital’s main square shortly after 1:00 am local time when Cilic wins.
The crowd then applauds their hometown hero.
23:14 GMT – Thanks to Goran – “The most important thing he brought to me was joy in tennis,” Cilic says of Ivanisevic as he thanks him after the match.
“Everything I was working for and dreaming of came true today,” the Croat adds.
Cilic is then handed a check for $3 million and holds the champion’s trophy high over his head.
23:11 GMT – ‘Tough loss’ – At the trophy ceremony, Nishikori looks a bit shell-shocked.
“He was playing really well today,” the Japanese player says of Cilic after the match.
“It’s a really tough loss but I’m really happy. (…) It was a really fun two weeks.”
23:06 GMT – Cilic wins US Open title, dominates Nishikori – Croatia’s Marin Cilic wins his first Grand Slam title with a dominating victory in the US Open final over Japan’s Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
The 25-year-old fell to the court and put his hands over his face after hitting a crosscourt backhand winner to seal the straight-sets win.
Cilic then shrieked with excitement as he made his way into the stands to embrace his entourage, including coach Goran Ivanisevic.
He takes home $3 million for the win, and will return to the Top Ten in the ATP rankings for the first time in four years.
MARIN CILIC WINS US OPEN TITLE, BEATING KEI NISHIKORI, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3
23:00 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 3-5 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori holds when Cilic sprays a forehand long.
Cilic will now serve for the championship.
22:55 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 2-5 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic eliminates two break points. A tight forehand gives Nishikori another opportunity, but he hits a forehand into the net.
The 25-year-old Croat then holds serve with a clean backhand winner down the line, and he is one game away from the title.
22:47 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 2-4 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori lays down a great service game. He strikes the ball with authority and holds at love.
22:44 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 1-4 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic fires a slam at the net that Nishikori cannot handle.
Tough match for the Japanese player. Time is running out to mount a comeback.
22:42 GMT – Last-gasp chance for Kei? – Dave James says: The last man to come back from two sets to love down in New York was Pancho Gonzalez in 1949 when he beat Ted Schroeder 16–18, 2–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 in what was then the US National Championship.
22:41 GMT – Win for Uniqlo – No matter what happens in today’s matches, a big winner is Nishikori sponsor Uniqlo.
From my colleague Katie Forster in Tokyo: Uniqlo’s flagship store in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district has sold out of Nishikori tennis shirts and caps. The shirts have also apparently sold out online.
22:40 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 1-3 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori floats a backhand wide, and Cilic now has a break in the third set. He is three games away from victory.
22:34 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 1-2 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic holds easily. A masterful lob during the game earns a fist pump from coach Ivanisevic up in the stands.
22:32 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 1-1 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori holds and the crowd in New York is behind the Japanese player, hoping to see a major comeback — and more tennis.
In the Tokyo bar — 26-year-old toy shop employee Daisuke Kuribayashi says: “Kei beat Djokovic… he can still beat this guy!”
22:29 GMT – Elation in Croatia – In the Zagreb square, the crowd — now watching at 1230 am — is excited.
“Marin is destroying him! Go on!” says Milivoj Siric, 28, after Cilic won the second set.
Every time Cilic wins a point, there is applause.
“Bravo. Come on, Marin!” they shout.
22:27 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 0-1 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic shows a few nerves, bombing three aces but then letting Nishikori back into the game by losing the next three points for deuce.
The tall Croat nevertheless gets the hold to start the third set.
Could he become the first Croatian Grand Slam men’s champion since his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, won Wimbledon in 2001? Stay tuned.
22:22 GMT – Despair in Tokyo – At the Tokyo sports bar, there is a stampede to get drinks as Nishikori goes two sets down.
One or two patrons are now sensibly switching to black coffee, Al Himmer reports.
22:20 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 3-6 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic breaks Nishikori with a powerful forehand, and he now leads two sets to love. He is one set away from a US Open title.
Can the Japanese player fight back to make this a five-setter?
SECOND SET TO CILIC 6-3. HE LEADS TWO SETS TO LOVE
22:16 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 3-5 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic fights off two break points but Nishikori draws blood on the third chance. He however is still down a break in this set.
22:09 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 2-5 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic displays some amazing shot-making, and secures another break.
The tall Croat will now serve for the second set — and a two-set lead.
22:08 GMT – Star gazing – Besides Redford, tennis fans Bruce Willis, Michael J. Fox and Christie Brinkley have all been spotted by television cameras.
22:07 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 2-4 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic holds at love.
CBS commentators have welcomed Robert Redford in the broadcast booth!
22:05 GMT – Ah, those of little faith – Al Himmer reports from Tokyo: A despondent trio of Nishikori fans have trudged out of a sports bar, sensing it might not be his day.
22:03 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 2-3 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori finally has an easy game on his serve. He holds at love.
A Nishikori victory here today would give Japanese tennis a huge boost — at a perfect time — with Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2020.
22:00 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 1-3 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic survives a scare from Nishikori, and consolidates his one-break advantage.
The 24-year-old Japanese player is beginning to find his range on his groundstrokes, but fails to convert on two key break chances.
21:57 GMT – Well wishes for Cilic – In Zagreb, 20-year-old student Damir Horvatic has high hopes for Cilic.
“I hope he wins and makes tennis history. He deserves it after all the hardship he went through,” Horvatic tells AFP, referring to Cilic’s doping ban, which forced him to miss the US Open last year.
21:54 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 1-2 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori battles back from triple break point down, with a gutsy drop shot to get to deuce.
But Cilic swats a forehand winner for break point number four, and converts when Nishikori nets a backhand.
21:49 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3-6 1-1 CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Easy hold for Cilic. He is in command on his serve.
In the Tokyo sports bar — “Nishikori looks like he could do with a drink. Cilic is a beast!” sighs interior designer Nao Koga, 29, after Nishikori lost the first set.
21:47 GMT – NISHIKORI 3-6 1-0 *CILIC (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori makes a solid start to the second set, taking the first game with a forehand winner down the line.
ATP stat, from Dave James: the winner of the opening set has won 20 of the past 21 finals. Will Cilic be next?
21:44 GMT – Rankings boost – Cilic will jump to number nine with a win — that would mark his first return to the Top Ten since 2010.
Nishikori will jump to number five in the world if he wins today.
21:43 GMT – *NISHIKORI 3 CILIC 6 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic takes the first set!
The Croat is striking the ball with confidence. He takes the first set with an approach to net, and Nishikori misses the return.
Kei will serve to open the second set.
FIRST SET TO CILIC 6-3
21:39 GMT – NISHIKORI 3 *CILIC 5 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori hangs in there, forcing the tall Croat to serve for the first set.
Tennis legend John McEnroe, calling the match for CBS, on Nishikori: “It’s as if he’s frozen.”
21:34 GMT – *NISHIKORI 2 CILIC 5 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic’s long reach allows him to hit a nifty cross-court forehand winner while on the run. He holds easily and Nishikori must now serve to stay in the first set.
21:31 GMT – Hundreds watch in Zagreb – From Lajla in Zagreb: A few hundred hardy fans have gathered in Zagreb’s Jelacic square in the late hours to watch Cilic battle it out with Nishikori.
Two giant Croatian red, white and blue flags, made of light bulbs, are illuminated atop two buildings at the square.
“Let’s go Marin!” read the slogans on the flags.
21:30 GMT – NISHIKORI 2 *CILIC 4 (*Denotes upcoming server) – And Cilic takes the early lead, breaking Nishikori on his third opportunity when the Japanese player floats a forehand wide.
21:25 GMT – *NISHIKORI 2 CILIC 3 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Cilic bombs a 134-mph serve as he holds at love.
For now, this is a server’s match.
21:23 GMT – NISHIKORI 2 *CILIC 2 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Routine hold. Nishikori closes out the game with a wicked forehand.
Nishikori’s parents Eri and Kiyoshi are in New York watching the match.
Heard in the Tokyo sports bar, on Cilic’s height: “Look at the size of him, Nishikori looks like a midget!”
21:20 GMT – Government support – Al Himmer also reports that Nishikori has support at the highest levels.
“There is only one word for it – incredible! He’s come this far so I really hope he goes all the way. it would not just be a first for Japan but for Asia if he completes this incredible feat,” says Japanese government Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
21:19 GMT – Breakfast beers – Alastair Himmer reports that he is watching the match in a Tokyo sports bar, packed with bleary-eyed fans, many of them drinking beer… shortly after 6 am.
21:19 GMT – *NISHIKORI 1 CILIC 2 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Easy hold for Cilic and we are cruising here in the first set.
21:17 GMT – NISHIKORI 1 *CILIC 1 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Nishikori holds tough in his first service game, and we are all even at one-all.
A lot of empty seats on Ashe at the moment — one must wonder if they would be empty if Djokovic and Federer were out there. Either that, or the New York crowd is just late to the party.
21:15 GMT – New blood – Fun fact: This is the first Grand Slam final since 2005 without Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray.
Another fun fact: Cilic is 6’6″.
21:13 GMT – *NISHIKORI 0 CILIC 1 (*Denotes upcoming server) – Both players are showing a few nerves as the match opens.
Nishikori — the 10th seed — has a break point, but Cilic — the 14th seed — eliminates it with a crisp forehand winner and then unleashes a big serve to close out the game.
21:09 GMT – Here we go! – Cilic to serve. The match begins
21:07 GMT – Big payday – The winner of today’s match will earn a cool $3 million.
The runner-up takes home a not-too-shabby $1.45 million.
21:04 GMT – Coin toss – Cilic wins the coin toss — officiated by tennis legend Stan Smith — and will serve to open the match.
21:03 GMT – Players on court! – The players have made their way into Arthur Ashe Stadium and are warming up!
21:02 GMT – Proud parents – In Croatia, my colleague Lajla Veselica explains that Cilic’s parents are gearing up to watch the match at home in Medjugorje, in Bosnia, according to local media.
“Since he was so relaxed against Federer, I hope that he will be against Nishikori also,” his mother Koviljka told Bosnian Internet portal Klix.ba.
“We are optimists — we are singing and partying,” father Zdenko says, adding he had spoken to his son earlier in the day.
“He is proud, happy and satisfied. I believe he has the strength and wisdom to win tonight,” Zdenko says.
20:59 GMT – Becker on the scene – And as we get ready to see the players arrive on court, this news nugget from my colleague Dave James (@DaveJamesAFP) in New York:
Djokovic may have long departed New York, but coach Boris Becker is still on site.
Happily posing for photos, the German legend — dressed in a smart grey suit — made his way through the crowds towards the VIP entrance.
20:56 GMT – US Open success for Japan – This from my colleague Rebecca Bryan: Even before Nishikori’s bid for his first Grand Slam title begins, Japan can boast two 2014 US Open champions.
Top seed Shingo Kunieda won the men’s wheelchair singles title and Yui Kamiji won the women’s wheelchair singles.
Kunieda added a fifth US Open title to his resume while Kamiji, a 2012 Paralympian in her second year as a pro, nabbed her first.
20:51 GMT – Excitement in Croatia – Cilic’s appearance in the US Open final surprised many in his home country, where sports fans are more in tune with football than tennis, my Zagreb colleague Lajla Veselica tells me. As a result, no arrangements were made in advance for public viewing of the match.
But in the end, tonight’s match will be broadcast live in the main square in Croatia’s capital, and on state-run HRT television.
Start time: 11 pm.
Local media have hailed Ivanisevic’s influence on Cilic. “Ivanisevic created a Champion!” read the front page headline of the Croatian daily with the largest circulation, Vecernji List.
“Miracle from Medjugorje — Final Act,” the leading sports daily Sportske Novosti blared on its front page.
20:49 GMT – Big in Japan – My colleague in Tokyo, Alastair Himmer (@alastairhimmer), tells me that TV commentators screamed themselves hoarse with excitement over Nishikori’s win in the semis.
Sports dailies such as the popular Nikkan Sports led coverage with Nishikori’s quote: “I can definitely win it now!”
Bleary-eyed Japanese tennis fans have been staying up at all hours of the night to watch Kei’s heroics.
The match will begin shortly after 6 am Tuesday, Tokyo time.
WOWOW — the subscription satellite channel with the rights to broadcast Grand Slams in Japan — offers a two-week free trial. Big surprise — since Nishikori’s run into the second week at Flushing Meadows, requests for free trials have shot up 10-fold.
20:42 GMT – Major upsets – Nishikori, who is a major celebrity in Japan, offered up one of the upsets of the tournament when he defeated former champion Djokovic in the semis in four sets.
Cilic, not to be outdone, followed that up with a shock semis win over five-time champion Federer in straight sets, electrifying the crowd on Arthur Ashe.
Monday’s contest is the first US Open final to feature two players both making their debut in a major final since 1997, when Patrick Rafter defeated Greg Rusedski for the title here.
20:37 GMT – Live from Flushing Meadows – WELCOME TO AFP’S LIVE REPORT on the US Open men’s final at Flushing Meadows — an unexpected championship match between Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Croatia’s Marin Cilic.
The match — which will see a first-time Grand Slam champion crowned, as both are playing in their first major final — is due to start at Arthur Ashe Stadium shortly after 5:00 pm EDT (2100 GMT).
This is the eighth career meeting between the two players, with Nishikori holding a 5-2 edge, including two victories over the 25-year-old Croat this year — on hard courts in Brisbane and in Barcelona on clay.
The 24-year-old Nishikori is playing for history. He is looking to become the first Asian man to win a Grand Slam singles title. He defeated top seed Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Cilic is the first Croat to reach a Grand Slam final since his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, won Wimbledon in 2001. He bested second seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals.