Federer, Djokovic both lose in US Open semifinals

Instead of Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer for the U.S. Open title, first-time Grand Slam finalists Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic will vie for the championship after a pair of semifinal surprises Saturday. In an Associated Press report, Federer said, “It’s fairly simple, I think: Marin played great and I maybe didn’t catch my best day.” For the first time in nearly a decade, a major final will be contested without at least one of Federer, Djokovic or Rafael Nadal. Nadal didn’t attempt to defend his 2013 U.S. Open title because of a right wrist injury. That trio won 34 of the past 38 Grand Slam trophies, including two months ago at Wimbledon, when Djokovic edged Federer in a five-set final. Federer added, “It’s exciting for the game to have different faces from time to time… It’s big for Croatia; it’s big for Japan.” Cilic is the first man from Croatia to get this far at a major tournament since 2001. Nishikori is the first man from his country to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since 1933.

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