Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic upset in U.S. Open semifinals

Only the most longshot-loving gambler would have called this one: the U.S. Open tennis tournament men’s final Monday night will match Kei Nishikori of Japan and Marin Cilic of Croatia.

The expectation was Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic. Between them, they have 24 Grand Slam titles -- Federer with a record 17 and Djokovic with seven.

Between Nishikori and Cilic, they have zero.

But each played better, fought harder on a hot and humid day, and clearly earned his spot in the final.

After Nishikori had stunned a listless No. 1-ranked Djokovic in the first semifinal in Ashe Stadium, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3, Cilic put on an even bigger show with huge serves and untouchable baseline strokes that got him past Federer, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, in less than two hours.

Djokovic and Federer had been seeded Nos. 1 and 2, respectively; Nishikori and Cilic Nos. 10 and 14.

Nishikori was asked whether his victory had been a surprise, even to him.

“I little, maybe, yes,” he said.

Cilic called it “an amazing day for me. To play like this, I never dreamed I could do it. This was the best tennis I ever played.”