Cilic beats Nishikori in U.S. Open

Croatia’s Marin Cilic won his first major final on Monday, beating 10th-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in the U.S. Open.

Cilic was even more of a surprise than Nishikori in the finals, coming into the tournament as the 14th seed after missing last year’s event because of a doping suspension.

This time around, he put away Japan’s hopeful behind 17 aces and a power game that helped him earn $3 million.

With the win, he will jump in the rankings to No. 9. He came into the event ranked 16th, making him the first male ranked outside the top 10 to win a Grand Slam title in more than a decade.

Nishikori won, also trying to become the first No. 10 or higher to win a Grand Slam event in more than a decade, was shooting to become the first male tennis player from Asia to win a major singles championship.