Raise your hand if you called a Kei Nishikori vs. Marin Cilic U.S. Open final! Now put it down, you liar! No one in the world foresaw the two getting past all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the semis. But lo and behold, Nishikori and Cilic did, and they will now contest one of the most unanticipated grand slam finals in recent history.
Nishikori has more than lived up to his billing as a U.S. Open sleeper, but can he go all the way and win his first ever grand slam? Read on for more on this unexpected U.S. Open final.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Kei Nishikori vs. Marin Cilic Prediction and Betting Preview
Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York
When: September 8, 2014
Line: Kei Nishikori (-125) vs. Marin Cilic (-105) – view all Men’s Singles U.S. Open Lines
Betting on Kei Nishikori
What’s the Japanese word for tired, exhausted or fatigued? Whatever it is, Nishikori is none of those things, at least based on the way he’s performed in past rounds. Despite enduring consecutive five-set wars against Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka, Nishikori was still at his best against Djokovic as he romped to a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 win in the semis.
[sc:Other240banner ]Djokovic outscored Nishikori in terms of total points (120-117), but the Japanese won because he made the most out of his opportunities to break the World No. 1’s serve. Nishikori converted five out of his seven break points, and saved nine of the 13 break points he faced against the Serb.
Nishikori has also been very capable in holding his serve against Cilic in their recent meetings. He’s been broken just once in each of their last three matches, all of which the Japanese has won. In total, Nishikori has won five of their seven career head-to-heads.
Betting on Marin Cilic
What’s more impressive than beating an all-time tennis great like Roger Federer? Beating him in straight sets, which was what Marin Cilic accomplished in the U.S. Open semifinal. Granted, Federer had shown chinks in his armor in the quarterfinal against Gael Monfils, but Cilic did what the Frenchman couldn’t: finish Fed off.
Cilic’s famed service game was spot on yet again against Federer. He tallied 13 aces and won a whopping 87 percent of his first-serve points. This just continues the trend from the previous three rounds, where he hit 55 total aces and won over 80 percent of his first-serve points in all three of those matches.
However, Cilic’s serve has abandoned him completely in his last two meetings against Nishikori this year. His percentage of first serves in play dropped below 50 percent on both occasions – including an ugly 11-double-fault showing in Brisbane earlier this year. Unsurprisingly, he lost both matches.
But even though his serve wasn’t on point during their last meeting in the U.S. Open two years ago, he still emerged victorious in four sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3. Nevertheless, Cilic would make things much easier for himself if his serve is as solid in the final as in past rounds.
Writer’s Prediction
Nishikori (-125) rises up to the occasion to get the better of Cilic one more time to capture his first ever grand slam title. Create a betting account now and put a stake on this unanticipated final.
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