Novak Djokovic is in the final of the US Open for the eighth time. The Serb leaves Kei Nishikori no chance in winning 6:3, 6:4 and 6:2.
Djokovic started like the fire brigade and immediately took the Japanese player off the serve for 2-0. The former world number one could not resist this advantage – he won the set relatively safely with 6:3.
Nishikori did not find a single break in the entire first round and made 13 Unforced Errors with only six winning strokes. Too little to get the Wimbledon champion anywhere near into trouble.
In the second set, the Asian changed his tactics a bit – Nishikori came to the net more often and was successful. 14 of his 15 net attacks in this set he successfully managed and put Djokovic under pressure.
The Serb, who missed a total of five break points in the first game of the second set, had to fend off two chances for an early 2-0 lead due to the 28-year-old’s more offensive style of play. Nishikori missed both with slight mistakes – these break chances should remain the only ones of the whole game for the world rank nineteenth.
Djokovic remained the more consistent player despite the US Open finalist’s efforts in 2014 and consequently broke to 3-2. the Serb remained confident on his own serve and won the second round 6-4.
This trend continued in the third movement. The 13-time Grand Slam winner took Nishikori off the serve for 2:1 and doubled his break lead with another game win for 4:1, Djokovic then safely crossed the finish line and used his second match point with a remarkable backhand winner.
Djokovic took revenge for his semi-final defeat in 2014 and celebrated his 14th consecutive victory against Nishikori after 2:22 hours of play. After the smooth victory, the world number six will face Juan Martin del Potro in the final on Sunday, who benefited from a challenge from his opponent Rafael Nadal in the first semi-final.
“I have great respect for him. He’s made for the big games, he showed that against Nadal and before. I’m sure it will be an exciting match,” said Djokovic after the match. It will be the eighth final in Flushing Meadows for the Serbian – twice he has won the finals.