US Open Tennis 2014: Day 13 Schedule, Matchups Predictions for New York Bracket
The 2014 U.S. Open men's draw can still end with a No. 1 versus No. 2 final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, but that's looking nowhere near a guarantee as both players enter tough semifinal affairs on Saturday.
Outside of the top-two seeds, things haven't been easy for the best players in the men's draw as told by two double-digit seeds making it into the final four. And if the recent play of Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori are any indication, Djokovic and Federer could have their hands full in their respective matchups.
Let's get right to it and break down both of the big Day 13 men's semifinals.
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| No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 10 Kei Nishikori | Saturday, Sept. 6 | CBS |
| No. 14 Marin Cilic vs. No. 2 Roger Federer | Saturday, Sept. 6 | CBS |
No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 10 Kei Nishikori
Novak Djokovic entered Flushing Meadows with a huge target on his back. Not only was he the tournament's top seed, but his summer struggles were well documented and he needed to turn his game around to have a chance at winning his second Grand Slam of 2014.
So far in New York, he has done just that.
Djokovic failed to lose a set until facing Andy Murray in the quarterfinals, and rose his game to another level to defeat his British rival once again. Heading into his semifinal match with No. 10 Kei Nishikori, he's certainly peaking at the right time.
But then again, so is Nishikori. He has used five-set thrillers against No. 5 Milos Raonic and No. 3 Stan Wawrinka to build considerable momentum that he will certainly need against the Serbian.
Nishikori is one of the fastest players in the men's circuit, and Djokovic will have his hands full in dealing with the Japanese star's surging game. But unless the top seed fails to bring his best, he will have no trouble advancing to the final.
Prediction: Djokovic wins in four sets
No. 14 Marin Cilic vs. No. 2 Roger Federer
No. 2 Roger Federer hasn't had the easiest of times making it to the semifinals, but he has once again done so as he is set to face No. 14 Marin Cilic on Saturday.
After tearing through the Cincinnati Masters, Federer looked better than anyone on the men's side entering Flushing Meadows. But after losing two of his opening sets in New York, including going down two sets to Gael Monfils in the quarters, he's looking vulnerable.
Cilic, on the other hand, has never looked better. He has a five-set thriller over Gilles Simon to his credit, and also topped No. 6 Tomas Berdych impressively in straight sets.
The Croatian has peaked late in 2014, and is feeling confident entering the semifinal, per his official post-match transcript:
"I feel I'm playing probably the best tennis of my career. I think what helped me also was the consistent play over last five, six months. This year I haven't lost too many matches against guys who are lower ranked than me. That's always very positive.
"
While Monfils was unable to keep up his momentum while holding a lead against Federer, Cilic won't struggle in the same regard. Playing some of his best tennis ever, he will gain an early edge on the Swiss star.
Federer will battle back, but Cilic will keep hold of his strong serve and avoid the catastrophic collapse that Monfils suffered from to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Cilic wins in five sets
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