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Goran Ivanisevic, the outspoken coach of U.S. Open finalist Marin Cilic, said one item served up in Monday’s no-name U.S. Open men’s finals is “justice.’’
One year ago, Cilic missed the Open because he was serving a four-month suspension for allegedly using Nikethamide, a banned stimulant the Croatian claimed he unknowingly ingested. It was found in his urine sample after a tournament in Munich in May 2013.
Now he’s in the Open finals after obliterating Roger Federer in Saturday’s semifinals to set up a showdown against the other Cinderella story, Japan’s Kei Nishikori. Both are making their Grand Slam finals debuts in an event that won’t move the CBS ratings needle but can be viewed as a breath of fresh air for those weary of the Big Four of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. At the tournament’s start, Nishikori was a 50-1 choice to win it according to Bavada.lv, which had Cilic’s odds at 100-1.“You can say there is justice,’’ said the always candid Ivanisevic. “Somebody up there must be watching. [Cilic] was accused for nothing. He was sitting for five months for nothing. This is justice. It was not easy but he stayed mentally focused.’’
Cilic was suspended from June to October 2013.
“It was not easy time,’’ Ivanisevic said. “He was angry. He didn’t do anything wrong. We were practicing one week, stopped two weeks. Then practice another week, then what are we practicing for? He wasn’t injured but had to stay home for five months and you’re No. 11 and you come back you’re 37.’’
The projected Wimbledon final rematch of Federer-Djokovic didn’t materialize in Flushing because of Saturday’s heroics by Cilic, 25, and Nishikori, 24, the first Japanese player to make a Grand Slam final. Nishikori took out Djokovic in four sets.
Cilic’s beating of Federer was more thorough — a straight-set demolition in which the 6-foot-6 big server closed the match with three straight aces and a clean backhand winner.
“It was beautiful,’’ Ivanisevic said. “It was just like watching myself.’’
Ivanisevic, the last Croatian to make a Slam final, first met Cilic when he was 14.
“I’ve always told him he should be top 10 in world and why stop now,’’ Ivanisevic said. “It will be a tricky final — both guys first time, both will be nervous. But whoever wins will be top of the world — Mount Everest.’’
While Cilic watched the 2013 Open from home, Nishikori was bounced in the first round by a British qualifier. Days later, Nishikori’s agent offered former American great Michael Chang the coaching job. He accepted in December. There’s been a great bond and Nishikori has taken on Chang’s fighting spirit.
“He’s helping mentally,’’ Nishikori said. “I feel my tennis is changing, little more aggressive, and playing [with] more confidence.
Some people can push me well. It’s been working really well.’’
Nishikori leads the head-to-head, 5-2, and whipped Cilic twice this year. They’ve also met twice before at the U.S. Open, with Nishikori winning in 2010 in a five-setter in the second round. Cilic won a four-setter in 2012 in the third round.
Cilic overpowered Federer with his serve. Nishikori battered Djokovic with his baseline power.
“I’m more surprised with Cilic, to be honest, because he’s older,’’ Federer said. “He’s been around for longer, but he’s really been able to make a nice transition in the last few years in his game. Whereas with Kei, I always thought unbelievable talent way back when I played with him for the first time when he was 17.’’
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