WASHINGTON (AP) – Reigning U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic moved into the Citi Open semifinals for the first time since 2010 by beating 18-year-old Alexander Zverev of Germany 7-5, 7-6 (3) on Friday.
The third-seeded Cilic’s victory set up a semifinal showdown Saturday at the hard-court tournament against second-seeded Kei Nishikori – a rematch of last year’s U.S. Open final.
That was the only time either man participated in a Grand Slam title match, and Cilic won it in straight sets. They have not played each other since.
Nishikori advanced earlier Friday with a 6-4, 6-4 quarterfinal victory over Sam Groth.