US Open 2014: Djokovic ‘nowhere near best’ against Nishikori

Novak Djokovic admitted he just “wasn’t himself” after Kei Nishikori stunned the top seed to reach the US Open final.

The 10th seed triumphed 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in sweltering conditions in New York and and will take on Roger Federer or Marin Cilic for the title on Monday.

Today was not even close to what I wanted it to be

Novak Djokovic

“What can I say?” said Djokovic afterwards. “Other than that second set my game today was not even close to what I wanted it to be. A lot of unforced errors, a lot of short balls. I just wasn’t myself.

“[The conditions were the] same for both players. It was not easy to play in these conditions, but also he had more hours spent on the court. So it’s no excuse.

“I think he just played better in these conditions than I did. I just wasn’t managing to go through the ball in the court.

“Even when the ball gets back to his part of the court it’s pretty short; he takes advantage of it. On the other side I didn’t. That’s it.”

The 24-year-old Nishikori, meanwhile, was understandably delighted to reach his first-ever Grand Slam final.

“It’s just an amazing feeling, beating the number one player,” said Nishikori.

“I hope it’s big news in Japan. I feel the support from Japan. It’s 4 o’clock in the morning but I hope a lot of people are watching.”