Marin Cilic’s Exit Guarantees New US Open Finalist

Marin Cilic, the former champion, has been knocked out of the US open by Diego Schwartzman. Later that day John Isner was knocked out as well by the serve-and-volley specialist Mischa Zverev. This means that the bottom half of the draw has no more seeds left, and that means that there will be a new finalist at the US open this year. World No. 33 Schwartzman has, for the first time gone past the third round of a major.

“I think many players are doing well this week, and they are taking the opportunities because many players are injured this week. I think we are trying to take the chances and try to go forward in the tournament”, Schwartzman said later in his interview. Marin Cilic though had a bad day at the office as he committed 80 unforced errors in the entire match. Cilic, who was the finalist at the Wimbledon this year, was of course hampered by an adductor injury, and was doubtful to play this year at the Flushing Meadows.

Schwartzman will meet Lucas Pouille in the next round. Pouille beat the rising star Mikhail Kukushin in four sets (2-6, 6-3, 6-4, and 6-4). The number of upsets has surprised many this year in the men’s division. Marin Cilic now joins the long list of players, including Alexander Zverev and Tsonga, who were potential favorites to the title, to be defeated.

Today’s matches will feature Rafael Nadal in the morning session and Roger Federer in the night session, both now the clear favourites of the title.