Roger Federer admits he was beaten by the better man as Marin Cilic makes US Open final.

Roger Federer admitted he was outplayed by Marin Cilic as the 17-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out of the US Open semi-finals on a day of upsets at Flushing Meadows.

Federer's exit followed world No 1 Novak Djokovic's defeat to Kei Nishikori, bringing to an end the run of 38 Grand Slam men's singles finals to feature Federer, Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.

It took No 14 seed Cilic just one hour and 45 minutes to defeat five-time champion Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

                                                                   Crashing out: Roger Federer was beaten in straight sets by Marin Cilic in the US Open semi-final 

Federer said: 'I think Marin played great. I maybe didn't have my best day, but I think that was pretty much it in a nutshell.

'I'm definitely not happy the way I was able to return his serve. I expect better from myself.

'Credit to him. He served big, he served close to the lines. When you do that, there's only so much you can really do.

'I think he was also playing really well from the baseline.'

Out played: Cilic celebrates his win and making the US Open final after beating Federer convincingly 

                                                                   Final chance: Cilic will face Kei Nishikori in Monday's final at Flushing Meadows

Federer, 33, had pushed hard this year to win his eighteenth Grand Slam title but it will be a second consecutive season without a major title, his last triumph being at Wimbledon in 2012.

He said: 'I don't need it [another Grand Slam title] to be more happy or anything. But the moment itself, it would mean a lot.

'I'll give it a go again in Australia. I hope to be healthy there. I enjoy playing there. It's been one of my most consistent slams.

                                                                  Hard to take: Federer looks dejected after his defeat to Cilic in the US Open semi final 

                                                                  Time to say goodbye: Federer waves to the crowd as he leaves the court after his defeat 

'I hope to get another chance at it. I can't do more than try really hard, which I'm doing.'

Meanwhile, Djokovic refused to blame the brutal heat and humidity earlier in the day for his below-par performance as his bid to reach a fifth consecutive US Open final ended with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 defeat to No 10 seed Nishikori.

He said: 'It's the same for both of us. It was not easy to play in these conditions but also he had more hours spent on the court, so it's no excuse.

'My game 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 was named in Serbia's Davis Cup team earlier this week for the World Group play-off against India in Bangalore next weekend but he is now uncertain as to whether he will participate.

He said: 'I have to speak with my captain and see if I'm going to go to India or not. I still don't know.'

Djokovic was also non-committal when asked if this could be the last time he plays on tour this year with his wife Jelena due to give birth to their first baby in October.

He said: 'I don't know. It's too early. Just got off the court.'