US Open Tennis 2015: Predicting Score, Results for Remaining Men's Draw
The semi-finals of a tournament is the worst stage to be eliminated. A loss in the final is heartbreaking, but at least the competitor involved experienced the pageantry that comes with the competition climax and has a sense of closure; a loss in the last four always conjures a sense of “what if?”
It’s a sense the four remaining men left in the U.S. Open draw will be hoping to avoid when they take to the court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, and we have a stellar lineup of players to savour.
The reigning champion, Marin Cilic, is up against the world’s best player in Novak Djokovic, while the 2015 French Open winner, Stan Wawrinka, faces 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. Here’s a rundown of both of these enticing semi-final matches and an assessment on which player is likely to come out on top in each.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
| Arthur Ashe Stadium, 5 p.m. (ET) | ||
| Novak Djokovic (1) | vs. | Marin Cilic (9) |
| Stanislas Wawrinka (5) | vs. | Roger Federer (2) |
Novak Djokovic vs. Marin Cilic
Cilic was a surprise winner of this tournament 12 months ago and, with the spotlight on more illustrious names once again, has been making quiet progress at Flushing Meadows. But Djokovic poses a daunting opponent for the Croat.
“It's definitely the toughest matchup, I would say," Cilic said, per ATPWorldTour.com. "I haven't beaten him ever in my career. I had close matches the last few years, but I haven't found the right formula to be able to win a match.”
On 13 occasions Cilic has tried and failed to beat Djokovic, per the aforementioned piece. The world No. 1 looks in strong form, too, with two Grand Slam titles already to his name this year. He has looked jaded in his last two matches, losing a set in wins over Feliciano Lopez and Roberto Bautista Agut, but the Serb has shown the mental strength to pull through.
As noted here by sports statistician Mohandas Menon, the world No. 1 is a player who knows all about playing at this stage of this competition:
It’s a little remarkable Novak has only won this title on one occasion, despite being in the final for five of the last six years. Cilic, with memories of glory last season clearly spurring him on, will look to take full advantage should any flaws emerge.
But Djokovic seems set on going all the way here, and despite slip-ups in his last two matches, he remains the finest player in the draw. Expect his expert returning and diligent defensive work to nullify the champion’s power and for the world’s best player to come through in four sets again.
Prediction: Djokovic def. Cilic 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
Roger Federer vs. Stanislas Wawrinka
This all-Swiss semi-final looks set to be a brilliant contest, with both Federer and Wawrinka cruising into the last four with dominant wins in the quarters.
Federer sailed past Richard Gasquet, while his compatriot was far too powerful to beat Kevin Anderson; the pair both won in straight sets, dropping just 15 games between them in the process. It means both of these players should be in tremendous shape for the second semi-final on Arthur Ashe.
Federer remains the favourite and has glided his way through to this point with his usual grace. He also has a 16-3 career record over Wawrinka, per Menon, with his compatriot struggling to cope with the poise and precision of the veteran star.
Christopher Clarey of the New York Times paid tribute to the longstanding brilliance of the 17-time Grand Slam winner:
But there’s plenty to like about Wawrinka heading into this match. His win at the French Open was his second Grand Slam triumph, and it’s clear he’s a player who's beginning to relish these big occasions. Perhaps most importantly, in that win at Roland Garros—he beat Federer on the way to the final.
The Flushing Meadows hard courts are not his favourite surface, admittedly, but with the pressure off, it seems as though Wawrinka is the most relaxed player left in the men’s draw, as Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times observed:
"Wawrinka going beyond belief in fan treatment, autographing his towels before throwing them into the crowd. #usopen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 10, 2015"
Crucially, Wawrinka’s three career wins over Federer have come on clay courts, per Menon. That’s likely to be playing on his mind when the pair walk out in this one and will surely serve as a big confidence-booster to Roger.
Federer has been waiting a while to secure his 18th Grand Slam triumph, with his last one coming at Wimbledon in 2012. Expect him to take a big step toward it here but for a game Wawrinka to make this one a thrilling spectacle.
Prediction: Federer def. Wawrinka: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
