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Kei Nishikori leads Marin Cilic 5-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, having won the last three meetings. This will be their third battle at the US Open: Nishikori won in five sets in 2010, while Cilic won in four sets in 2012.

IBM data suggest that Cilic is the more powerful and explosive player and Nishikori is the better mover and more consistent player. Cilic played his best match of the tournament in the semi-finals against Roger Federer with almost twice as many winners as unforced errors (43 to 23). Coming into the semi-finals, Cilic had more total unforced errors than winners. Nishikori has used his quickness to take the ball early and take time away from his opponents. If Cilic isn't making errors, it will be difficult for Nishikori to handle all that pace and maintain that type of court positioning.

Nishikori has outplayed huge servers like Raonic and power players like Wawrinka at the tournament, so Japan's star has shown he can deal with guys that play that style. Cilic's play against Federer was reminiscent of Juan Martin Del Potro - just powering his opponent off the court. Both are playing in their first Grand Slam final, so nerves could be a factor. If they both are ready to play and ready for the occasion, it should be a great contest.

NISHIKORI HIGHLIGHTS

Solid serving - 74 per cent first serve points won - 59 per cent second serve points won - saved 39 of 51 break points faced

Strong return of second serve - 55 per cent won - 28 breaks in six matches
Very solid baseline game - 93 forehand winners - 64 backhand winners - 56% baseline points won

CILIC HIGHLIGHTS

Dominating first serve - 81 aces - 83 per cent first serve points won - 41 per cent of his serves have not been returned

Big forehand - 78 forehand winners, but also 112 forehand unforced errors
23 break of serve in six matches