US Open: Mens Semi-final Preview: Djokovic, Federer favourites

The last four men remaining in the singles draw are all Grand Slam champions which makes it an absolutely cracking semi-final line-up. While Roger Federer who has looked flawless so far, is seeking his 18th Slam title, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic would love to win the title at New York for the first time since 2011. Do the defending champion Marin Cilic and the reigning French Open winner Stan Wawrinka have something up their sleeves to thwart the duo from reaching the final? We take a look.

(2) Roger Federer v (5) Stan Wawrinka

The compatriots, pictured at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia earlier this year

Head-to-head: Federer leads 16-3

From Cincinnati Masters to the semi-finals of the 2015 US Open, Roger Federer is yet to drop a set. Not just that, the maestro has given up his serve only twice during this stretch – both times in his third round at Flushing Meadows against Philipp Kohlschreiber. The World No. 2 has looked imperious, bullying his opponents with consummate ease like he always does in the early rounds of a Slam, serving and returning with precision.

His ultra-aggressive approach by sneaking in on returns has helped to re-invent the maestro’s game and aided in taking time away from his opponents. The pace of the Arthur Ashe Stadium is playing up to Federer’s liking which has been obvious from the confident display from his racquet for the past 10 days at the US Open.

However, now the challenge gets tougher with his compatriot Wawrinka up next and the possibility of facing the top seed Djokovic looming large. Roger was stopped in the blocks by a thunderous performance from Wawrinka in their last meeting at the French Open this year. Their head-to-head indicates Federer has never lost to the Lausanne native on the hardcourts. But their last three meetings on hardcourts have gone the distance which include the close and fiery contest at the World Tour Finals last year.

Stan Wawrinka has improved by leaps and bounds since the end of 2013 in terms of his self belief and his ability to unleash his best on the big stage. The man who has self-admitted that he has learnt a lot by watching the likes of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, does not have any stage fright anymore, rather he thrives, having not lost before the quarter-finals at any Slam since last year’s Wimbledon.

He has quietly been making his way, having dropped only one set against Donald Young. But what is most impressive is the way he totally elevated his level against Andy Murray’s conqueror Kevin Anderson against whom he had lost the last four times before the Open.

Is he peaking at the right time? Yes. Is that enough to stop Federer in his tracks? Federer’s immaculate serve and his ability to rob time away on the faster courts will probably work against Wawrinka. But this will be one heck of a fight!

Prediction: Federer in four sets

(1) Novak Djokovic v (9) Marin Cilic

Head-to-head: Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic after the former’s win at this year’s Wimbledon QFs

Head-to-head: Djokovic leads 13-0

Defending champion Marin Cilic had been flying under the radar for most of the tournament. Many had picked him to be an early upset but the 2014 winner smartly steered his way into the last-four, negotiating the bumps that came along his way. And they were many! The Croat has so far conceded five sets in his five matches at the 2015 US Open.

There had been up and down performances from the 26-year-old but there’s no denying the manner in which he has been able to draw form the beautiful memories of a year ago and inspire himself to cross the finish line.

However, it will need more than just that if Cilic wants to progress to the final again. His next opponent is the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic from whom he has failed to take a set off this entire season. The straight sets defeat at the Wimbledon quarter-finals highlighted once again the Serb’s superior ability to sneak out a break and hold on to it till the very end. Novak’s movement and penetrating groundstrokes and most importantly his mindset usually in the most important matches make his opponent’s life tough and Cilic should be careful about that. An early break would be calamitous for his chances.

Having said that, Cilic has been able to serve his way out of trouble at the crunch moments and Djokovic has looked far from his best at this Open. There had been blips in his performance against Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals. Cilic can only hope for a repeat of that and can utilize his serve and forehand to pounce on these vulnerable moments, no matter how few these are, just like he stretched the Serb to five sets at last year’s Wimbledon.

Prediction: Djokovic in four sets