By Erik Gudris | Saturday, September 6, 2014

Despite brutal conditions and a seasoned opponent, Japan's Kei Nishikori emerged victorious as he now enters his first ever Grand Slam final at the US Open.

Tweeting a Landmark: Nishikori Is Japan's First Grand Slam Finalist

That leaves his semifinal opponent and top seed Novak Djokovic wondering what might have been after entering this match as the heavy favorite.

For Nishikori, who has long suffered from injuries and looking less than physically fit for extended battles, his efforts in New York indicate a true turning point in his career.

With hot and humid conditions inside Arthur Ashe Stadium proving a factor, both men entered this match hoping to take an early advantage. Nishikori did just that by securing an early serving break over a still ragged and unsettled looking Djokovic. Though the World No. 1 broke back right away, his troubles continued.

Nishikori, using a potent mixture of sudden winners and stellar defense, broke back again for 5-3. Nishikori served out the set 6-4 after Djokovic netted a return.

With the heat bearing down on both, it was Nishikori who looked worse for wear. That was expected given his tough path to the semis that includes two grueling five sets wins earlier over Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka. Djokovic went up a break 3-1 after Nishikori fired a forehand wide into the doubles alley.

Djokovic struck a perfect drop shot that resulted in an error from his opponent in the next game. That sent Djokovic's coach Boris Becker to his feet in celebration. When Djokovic later wrapped up the set 6-1, it seemed that the top seed had mastered both the weather and his opponent.

That didn't prove the case, however.

Even after Djokovic tested Nishikori in a long service game early in the third set. Nishikori weathered that challenge and held for 1-all. With Djokovic looking unable to either hit through or outlast Nishikori in their many rallies, that created another opportunity for the Japanese No. 1. Seizing yet another break for a 5-3 lead, Nishikori looked poised to close out the set.

Yet again, another plot twist ensued as Nishikori double faulted down break point serving for the set. Djokovic leveled things at 5-all and eventually a tiebreak was necessary. Again, Djokovic fell behind early 0-4 and looked unable to raise his level. Though another Nishikori double fault would put Djokovic only a point behind at 4-5, another error from the Serbian gave Nishikori several set points.

Djokovic sent a forehand wide that soon enough gave Nishikori a two sets to one lead.

Nishikori broke a lethargic looking Djokovic to open the fourth set. Though Djokovic would threaten with 0-40 on Nishikori's serve in the next game, the No. 10 seed responded by getting to deuce and then holding for 2-0. Now, with Djokovic looking more content to just play defensive tennis and not take the intiatitve, it was up to Nishikori to maintain his lead. He did just that down the stretch. Striking back to back aces, Nishikori later held for 5-3.

Djokovic ran out of ideas in the final game. Unable to generate momentum, Djokovic found himself down several match points on his next service game. Nishikori, though missing out on his first chance, would not need to do much on the second match point. Djokovic sent a final groundstroke long and that allowed Nishikori the chance to celebrate the surprise, but well-earned 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory.

Nishikori is now the first Asian man to ever reach a Grand Slam singles final.

"Well, what can I say? 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. Just wasn't myself." Djokovic said later in press. "He played some great tennis. I congratulate him for the effort. He was the better player today."

"I was a little bit tight especially since it was my first Grand Slam semifinal," Nishikori said to CBS's Mary Joe Fernandez. "It's just amazing feeling beating number one player and much better than these last two matches. So happy."

Nishikori now awaits the winner of the second semfinal between Marin Cilic and Roger Federer. When asked what the response has been like in his native Japan, Nishikori remained humble and hopeful.

"I hope it's big news in Japan. I feel support from Japan even from the TV. It's four o'clock in the morning but I hope a lot of people are watching."

With his efforts all tournament, a lot of people will be watching as Nishikori now goes after his first ever Grand Slam title on Monday.