Flushing Meadows, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - For the first time since 2009, Novak Djokovic will not be playing in the men's final at the U.S. Open.
Kei Nishikori ended Djokovic's run in Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 semifinal victory over the top-seeded Serbian on Saturday.
The 10th-seeded Nishikori of Japan became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final.
Djokovic appeared in his eighth straight U.S. Open semifinal and was trying to advance to his fifth straight final and sixth overall (1-4). The Serbian won the U.S. Open title in 2011.
Nishikori won in four sets on Saturday after playing back-to-back five-set marathons in his last two matches totaling more than 8 1/2 hours. He beat Milos Raonic in the fourth round and Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals.
The 24-year-old Nishikori converted 5-of-7 break points, while Djokovic was just 4-for-13. He improved to 2-1 lifetime against Djokovic.
Nishikori will play either five-time champion Roger Federer, the second seed, or 14th-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia in the championship match on Monday.
