US Open: Novak Djokovic breezes into final after thrashing defending champion Marin Cilic

Cilic appeared to be hampered by an injury to his ankle in Arthur Ashe Stadium

The loss of just three games is a new record for a grand slam semi-final set at the US Open (GETTY)

Novak Djokovic claimed the most one-sided semi-final grand slam victory in the Open era as he thrashed defending champion Marin Cilic to move into the US Open final.

Cilic appeared to be hampered by an injury to his ankle in Arthur Ashe Stadium as Djokovic took just 85 minutes to demolish the Croatian 6-0 6-1 6-2.

The loss of just three games trumps the previous record for a grand slam semi-final set at the US Open in 2001 when Lleyton Hewitt hammered Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-1 6-2 6-1.

It means Djokovic will be feeling fresh for Sunday's final, where he will face either Roger Federer or Stan Wawrinka as he bids for his 10th major title.

"If people didn't already know, Marin was carrying an ankle injury for the last couple of matches and he was courageous to come out and finish the match today so applauds to him," Djokovic said.

"It is not easy knowing your opponent is not 100 per cent but I came out with good focus and intensity and executed the gameplan."

Cilic ousted Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori on his way to the title last year but the world number nine was blown by Djokovic, who broke serve eight times and made just 13 unforced errors.

Djokovic has only been crowned champion once in New York but has gone close on several occasions, having reached four finals and three semi-finals in the last eight years.

It is the first time in his career that the Serbian has made all four major finals in a single year and he would be gunning for the calendar grand slam had he not lost to Wawrinka in the French Open final in June.

"It is a great achievement and I'm very proud of it," Djokovic said.

"I owe great gratitude to my family and my team. These are the tournaments you want to be performing your best.

"I haven't been very successful in the finals of the US Open, I have won one and lost four but have been playing some of my best tennis on these courts.

"I can promise I will give my maximum, I cannot predict the result but I will give it my best."