Reuters
New York, Sept 11: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer remain on course for a marquee one-two clash in the men’s US Open final, but each must first vanquish a formidable opponent and friend in Friday’s semifinals at Flushing Meadows here.
World No. 1 and top seed Djokovic will try to end the reign of 2014 champion Marin Cilic of Croatia in the opening men’s semifinal. No. 2 Federer will then take the Arthur Ashe Stadium court for an all-Swiss semifinal against French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.
Djokovic has never lost to Cilic in 13 meetings, including the quarterfinals of the last two Wimbledons. But the 26-year-old Croat has felt the magic again in his return to Flushing Meadows.
“It’s definitely the toughest match, I would say,” said ninth-seeded Cilic, whose season was hampered early by a shoulder injury. “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,” added the defending champion.
“He (Cilic) has a big serve,” Djokovic said about the Croatian. “The serve gets him out of trouble. I know him very well. I have played with him many times. We are great friends. Great guy. I’m sure he’s gonna try to be aggressive, going to try to take his chances.”
Federer once ruled the Open, winning five straight titles from 2004. It has been seven years since he last hoisted the trophy but the second seed has shown prime form of late. At the age of 34, he has not lost a set the entire tournament, but knows the threat posed by Davis Cup teammate Wawrinka.
“I’m looking forward to playing him, because he definitely is a big test and a big challenge for me. He beat me in straight at the French Open, so I hope I can do better this time,” stated the legendary Swiss.
