TENNIS US OPEN – This U.S. Open produced two distinctly different singles finals. Serena Williams used her brute power to totally dominate Caroline Wozniacki in Sunday’s women’s final. No one expected a repeat in the men’s final. It was a coin flip: Kei Nishikori or Marin Cilic. But almost from the beginning, it was surprisingly obvious that Nishikori would have a difficult time against Cilic’s sheer power. by James Beck
This U.S. Open produced two distinctly different singles finals, yet the results were much the same.
Of course, Serena Williams used her brute power to totally dominate Caroline Wozniacki in Sunday’s women’s final.
No one expected a repeat in the men’s final. It was a coin flip: the entertaining Japanese road-runner named Kei Nishikori or Croatian Marin Cilic, whose past was one of unpredictability.
But almost from the beginning, it was surprisingly obvious that Nishikori would have a difficult time against Cilic’s sheer power. Few would have expected such a turn of events after the way the smallish Japanese player dismantled world’s No. 1 Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s men’s semifinals.
It Was Saturday All Over Again For Cilic
Cilic controlled play from the beginning with his overpowering serve. His monster serves dictated play, setting up his powerful groundstrokes. It was Saturday all over again. The opponent just changed from Roger Federer to Nishikori.
It was like a lightweight fighter trying to fend off a true heavyweight puncher. Nishikori could only try to peck away at the 6-6 Cilic. There was no knockout ability. Even the sun didn’t cooperate with Nishikori the way it did on Saturday when Djokovic buckled under the midday heat.
The weather Monday evening was cool. The sun was hidden. Nishikori’s true game was unveiled. He was no match for Cilic’s big game.
Nishikori Lucky To Get Three Games Each Set?
At times, Cilic would step to the service line, look confidently toward the other side of the net, and take a mighty swing that left Nishikori almost motionless. Cilic yielded a total of just one point in his last four service games of the first set. He nailed consecutive aces several times.
It was almost as if Cilic willed a 3, 3 and 3 match result. Nishikori could count himself lucky to get those three games in each set. This one probably could have been worst if Cilic had really wanted to embarrass his 24-year-old opponent.
Nishikori, indeed, might be a one-timer in the spotlight of a major. He probably is a perennial quarterfinalist instead of a true title contender.
Cilic Made Things Almost Boring The Last Three Rounds
Fans who watched Cilic’s win over Tomas Berdych in last Thursday’s midday heat got an early preview of what was going to happen in the last two rounds. The match was somewhat boring the way Cilic completely dominated Berdych in the quarterfinals.
Berdych could hardly put a racket on Cilic’s big shots and serves. Berdych appeared to be in awe of what was happening in Arthur Ashe Stadium. I thought maybe Berdych was just having a bad day and Cilic was on his game.
Then on Saturday, it was much the same against Federer. Cilic’s big groundstrokes passed Federer before Federer could even get to the service line on many of his net charges. It was a beat-down. Now, Nishikori knows how Federer felt.
Men’s tennis probably should get accustomed to Cilic’s big game. At 25 years old, he is likely to be a force for several years, especially on hard courts, and also maybe at Wimbledon.
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James Beck is the long-time tennis columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper. He can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com
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