US Open 2014: Roger Federer makes no excuses after Marin Cilic loss

Roger Federer paid tribute to Marin Cilic’s performance after the Croat won in straight sets to book his place in the US Open final.

The 14th seed secured a hugely impressive 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over the 17-time Major champion to move into his first Grand Slam final.

Cilic, 25, will face Kei Nishikori in Monday’s final after he upset top seed Novak Djokovic in the earlier semi-final.

“It’s fairly simple: I think Marin played great,” said Federer. “I maybe didn’t catch my best day, but I think that was pretty much it in a nutshell.

“Marin played more aggressive. He was serving huge. From that standpoint I knew that margins were slim, you know, even though I still believed in my chance.

“The reaction was there. I did break straight back like I did with [Gael] Monfils, as well, but I knew probably this comeback would be tougher just because of the risk he was taking and, you know, how big he was serving really.”

Cilic added: “It’s just an amazing day for me.

“To be able to play like this I never dreamed of and I think today was my best performance ever in my career.”