Marin Cilic clinches US Open 2014 title, defeats Nishikori

Marin Cilic of Croatia wins the US Open 2014 Men’s Singles title after defeating Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday night.

Nishikori was the favorite going into the men’s singles final with a 5-2 head to head series lead over Cilic. Their past three meetings, including twice this year, were won by Nishikori.

Cilic takes home $3 million in prize money plus 2,000 ranking points enough to barge into the world’s top 10. The Croatian upset world number three and tournament second seed Roger Federer in the semifinals.

“This is all hard work in these last several years, and especially this last year,” he said during the trophy ceremony. “My team has brought something special to me, especially Goran. We’re working really hard, but most important from all the things he brought to me was enjoying tennis and always having fun, and I think enjoyed my best tennis over here and played the best ever in my life.”

“Everything I was working for and dreaming came today,” he said. “For all the other players that are working hard, this is a big sign, a big hope, that if you’re working hard, things are going to pay off.”

The victory places Cilic back in the world’s top ten and in strong position to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Eleventh-ranked Nishikori became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final. The Japanese star, coached by Dante Bottini and 1997 French Open champion Michael Chang, eliminated top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

“He was playing really well today; I couldn’t play my tennis,” Nishikori said. “I want to congratulate Marin, and his team also. It’s a really tough loss, but I’m really happy for my first final. I want to thank my team over there for these two weeks. Sorry I couldn’t get the trophy today, but for sure next time. It was a really fun two weeks here… I hope I can come back next year.”

The runner-up finish in New York places Nishikori back in the top ten as well, climbing from number 11 to number 8.