«Breaking Pic News» Kei Nishikori reaches US Open semi-final after coming through testing five set battle with Cilic

Kei Nishikori came out on top following a thrilling quarter-final clash with Marin Cilic at Flushing Meadows that went the full distance and will now play in his first Grand Slam semi-final for two years.

After losing the first set 2-6, Nishikori bounced back to win the next two sets 6-4 7-6 (7-5) and looked to be well on his way to booking a semi-final spot. 

But Cilic came back in the fourth set to keep himself in contention and take the match to a final and decisive fifth set that would see the pair play for over four hours.

It was a test of endurance and Nishikori came out on top, claiming the set 6-4. He will now face the winner ofNovak Djokovic vs John Millman in the semi-final. 

Nishikori celebrates after winning the fifth set and match by breaking Marin Cilic's serve

Kei Nishikori flies off of the ground as he hits a return during the fifth and final set

Marin Cilic complains to the chair umpire after a decision goes against him in final set

The pair both reached their first grand slam final here in 2014, with Cilic going on to claim a straight-sets victory.

The Croatian has built on that success, reaching two more finals in the last two seasons, but Nishikori's only similar run came in New York two years ago when he defeated Andy Murray to reach the semi-finals before losing to Stan Wawrinka.

This proved to be Nishikori's day, though, as he ground out a victory to mark a landmark moment for Japan after Naomi Osaka's win over Lesia Tsurenko earlier.

It is the first time in the Open era that Japan is represented in the semi-finals of both the main draws at the same grand slam.

Kei Nishikori celebrates after claiming the third set in quarter-final against Marin Cilic

Nishikori stretches for the backhand return during US Open clash with Marin Cilic

Cilic celebrates in the direction of his team after winning an important point

Cilic looked to be in control of the match at a set and a break up but back came Nishikori to win the second set, and then the third on a tie-break after the Croatian wobbled on serve.

Cilic responded by taking the fourth but dropped serve early in the decider and his mood darkened, the 29-year-old arguing with the umpire and then slashing a ball wildly into the stands.

Nishikori has one of the best records in history in deciding sets. This was the 200th match in which he has been taken the distance and the 153rd time he has come out on top, including 18 out of 24 over five sets.

That made it all the more surprising that the 28-year-old allowed his advantage to slip, missing a break point that would have given him a 5-1 lead and then being pegged back to 4-4.

But Cilic was unable to hold his nerve serving to stay in the match and it was Nishikori who held his arms aloft after four hours and seven minutes.

Nishikori hits a return to Cilic early on in the match, which ended up going to five sets

Cilic lines up a return as he came from 2-1 down to take the match to five sets

 

Link article

https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/06/kei-nishikori-reaches-us-open-semi-final-after-coming-through-testing-five-set-battle-with-cilic/
Main photo article Kei Nishikori came out on top following a thrilling quarter-final clash with Marin Cilic at Flushing Meadows that went the full distance and will now play in his first Grand Slam semi-final for two years.
After losing the first set 2-6, Nishikori bounced back to win the next two sets 6-4 7-6...

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Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca





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