US Open: History-making Nishikori shocks Djokovic for final place

New York Japans Kei Nishikori became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final when he swept past seventime major winner Novak Djokovic in the US Open semifinals on SaturdayKei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their mens singles semifinal match on Saturday PicAFPThe 10th seed braved oncourt temperatures nudging the 40degree mark to clinch a famous 64 16 76 74 63 victory over the world number one Nishikori the first Japanese man since 1918 to reach the semifinals in New York goes on to face either 17time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer or Croatias Marin Cilic in Mondays championship matchHis victory over Wimbledon champion Djokovic will go down as one of the sports greatest shocks The 27yearold Serb was the 2011 champion in New York was playing in his eighth successive US Open semifinal and bidding for a sixth final his 15th overall at the majorsThe top seed was also looking to make his third Grand Slam final of 2014 In contrast prior to Saturday the 24yearold Nishikoris best effort had been a run to the quarterfinals of the 2012 Australian Open I dont know whats going on said a breathless NishikoriI was a little bit tight especially as it was my first semifinal in a Grand Slam but its just an amazing feeling to beat the number one player It was tough conditions it was a little heavy and humid but I guess I love to play long matches Nishikori said that the key was to forget about the onesided second setHe started to play much better very consistent and more aggressive I tried to forget about the second set and tried to concentrate again The Floridabased star also praised the work of coach Michael Chang a Grand Slam winner with the French Open title in 1989 Hes been helping me a lot Weve been working well so thats why Im hereHe added I hope its big news in Japan Even though its 4 oclock in the morning I hope everybodys up watching Djokovic playing in his 17th semifinal of the last 18 Grand Slam events admitted Nishikori was the better player Better player He played some great tennis I congratulate him for the effortHe was the better player today said the Serb I think he wasnt using forehand as well as he does now His backhand is very solid One of the best doublehanded backhands from all over the court Really aggressive Hes very quick so he gets a lot of balls back Uses every short ball to attack I think now hes allaround playerDespite playing backtoback fivesetters over eight and half hours to get to the semifinal 10th seed Nishikori showed no signs of fatigue breaking for 21 in the opener The world number one retrieved it immediately but the Japanese star pouncing on the Djokovic second serve took the crucial next break for 43The set was wrapped up in 39 minutes on an oddly subdued but sweltering Arthur Ashe Stadium when the top seed netted a service return Djokovic however shrugged off his lethargy breaking in the fourth and sixth games on his way to levelling the semifinal with a sixth ace securing the second setNishikori threatening to wilt in the heat had to save four break points in an 11minute third game of the third set which went to seven deuces He then conjured up a break for 53 courtesy of a backhand pass and a stylish forehand return winner off a 120mph first serveBut he cracked when trying to serve out the set his second double fault handing the break straight back to the Serb As the oncourt temperatures shot up Nishikori went 40 and 52 in the tiebreak and claimed the set when Djokovic went limply wide with a weary forehandNishikori then turned the screw breaking for 10 in the fourth set and fending off three break points in the next for 20 And that was almost that Down and nearly out Djokovic was broken again in the ninth game when he sent a forehand long a shot which rocketed Nishikori into the record books