Photos from Flushing Meadows: Day 11

​Each day during the U.S. Open, we'll feature Anita Aguilar's photography, captioned by Steve Tignor. For more photo galleries, click here.

See ball, hit ball. That’s what Marin Cilic, who is playing the best tennis of his career right now, has been doing at Flushing Meadows.

“Berdych isn’t the most confident player in the world right now,” Roger Federer said last night. He’s right. The Czech never found his game in losing to Cilic in straight sets.

Berdych had a few words, and a few more, with chair umpire Louise Engzell. He later apologized.

You think this win meant something to Marin?

He reached his first Grand Slam semifinal since the 2010 Australian Open.

A nice reward for one of the nicest guys in tennis.

Goran Ivanisevic, Cilic’s coach, was one of the game’s great servers, and he has him hitting that shot better than ever. Cilic had 19 aces over three sets on Thursday.

Between quarterfinals, a few old Open favorites, 1988 champion Mats Wilander, Jim Courier, James Blake, and four-time champ John McEnroe, had a quick hit.

"John McEnroe and anyone" is the greatest doubles team in the world, they say. This ball boy got to be part of that team for a few minutes.

Then it was time for the main attraction: La Monf vs....

...The Fed. A packed house cheered Federer’s every move. “It was emotional,” he said afterward.

People were curious about the Frenchman as well.

Federer tried slicing the ball early to break up Monfils’s rhythm.

And he tried getting to the net.

But nothing was working for him early.

This time, it seemed that Monfils, who had been uncharacteristically focused all tournament, had the answers.

In his own way, of course.

Monfils caught up to a lot of Federer’s shots...

....but not this one.

Federer finally turned the tables by charging the net.

Even without his new white sneakers...

Federer caught some air.

Monfils talked to himself all night. What was coming out of his mouth only he may have known. Someone who speaks French said, “I have no idea what Gael is saying to himself.”

Maybe it was: What more can I do?

By the end, his box couldn’t help.

Federer’s crew, including Thierry Henry, Hugh Jackman, and Anna Wintour, showed their relief.

Federer has lost twice from match point up on this court; this was the first time he had won from match point down there.

“It was special,” both men said afterward.