• US Open

Cilic overwhelms Nishikori to claim US Open

Marin Cilic was broken just once during his straight-sets victory over Kei Nishikori © AP

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Marin Cilic showed no fear in his maiden grand slam final, overwhelming fellow debutant Kei Nishikori to win the US Open with a dominant 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory.

Cilic joins coach Goran Ivanisevic as Croatia's second men's grand slam champion after outgunning the No.10 seed, whose legs finally paid the price for a series of lengthy contests en route to the final.

The No.14 seed reproduced the irresistible form that ended Roger Federer's run in the semi-finals, firing 17 aces among his 38 winners and dropping serve just once to become the second first-time grand slam champion of the year alongside Australian Open champ Stan Wawrinka.

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"Everything I was working for and dreaming for came today," Cilic, 25, said during the trophy ceremony. "For all the other players that are working hard, this is a big sign and a big hope that things are going to pay off."

Starting the match in front of a half-full Arthur Ashe Stadium, the first US Open final since 1997 to feature two debutants in the title match was as much a battle of nerves as styles. Nishikori, some eight inches shorter his 6ft 6in opponent, set out to rally Cilic off the court, while the Croatian looked for early strikes to back up his vastly improved serve under Ivanisevic.

After saving a break point in the opening game Cilic was the first to settle into his rhythm, claiming 19 of the next 20 points on serve and breaking in the sixth game to run away with the first set.

Nishikori had made a similarly slow start to his showdowns with Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka, but whether the toll of those four-hour contests was telling was largely academic with Cilic playing with such power and precision.

The Croatian led by a double-break when Nishikori seemed to have found a foothold, breaking back to hold up the Croatian at 5-3. Cilic refused to let his level slip, however, breaking straight back to leave himself serving first in the third set.

Nishikori began asking questions early in the third but Cilic provided the best of answers, drawing gasps from the crowd with a clever lob that outfoxed the onrushing 24-year-old, and breaking a game later to lead 3-1.

As Nishikori loosened up with the match began to slip away from him, Cilic tightened with the title in sight. Twice at 4-2 the Croatian gave Nishikori a look at a second serve on break point to get back on serve; twice his opponent missed the return.

With that, the game was up. Cilic fired down two service winners en route to three championship points, hitting a huge double fault before a sweeping cross-court backhand sealed victory in one hour, 54 minutes.

Cilic paid special tribute to coach Ivanisevic, who claimed the 2001 Wimbledon title in a final also played on a Monday.

"He brought big knowledge to me and different small pieces in the game," Cilic said. "The serve was extremely important for me but also the belief I can play aggressively for three sets, five sets - that and the joy of practice on the tennis court is bringing out the best of me.

"The stars crossed," he joked. "Mondays are special for Croatians."

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