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World no.2 Novak Djokovic extended Serbia’s lead over visiting USA with a 6-2, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 victory against world no.22 Sam Querrey on indoor clay court in Belgrade.
Viktor Troicki gave Serbia a 1-0 lead over the United States, winners of 32 Davis Cup titles, as he beat Davis Cup debutant world no.20 John Isner 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4 in 3 hours and 36 minutes in Friday’s first singles rubber.
Novak faced two break points in the fourth game of the opening set but saved both for 2-2. He then earned three chances to break and converted the third to go 3-2 up. After he held to consolidate the break, he broke his opponent’s service once again and served out the set 6-2.
Querrey made a break in the second game of the second set and held to increase his lead to 3-0. Djokovic broke back in the seventh game and then equalised the score to 4-4. The American earned four break/set points in the tenth game, but the 22-year-old Belgrade native held to level the result. The set went into a tiebreaker. One mini-break was enough for Nole to win it 7-4.
Djokovic lost his rhythm in the third set. The American broke his serve twice, in the fifth and seventh game and took the set 6-2.
Novak was pushed to deuce in the opening game of the fourth set, but held his serve to go ahead. The leader of the Serbian Davis Cup team made a crucial break in the next game and held for 3-0 lead. Djokovic kept the advantage til the end and closed the set and match 6-3.
Bob Bryan and John Isner kept USA’s hopes alive at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round tie in Belgrade. Nenad Zimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic lost in four sets 6-7(8), 7-5, 6-7(8), 3-6 in 3 hours and 6 minutes.
Bob and Mike were scheduled to play this match together, but Isner was brought in as a late substitute.
On Sunday at 15.00 CET Djokovic plays against Isner. The second match sees Troicki take on Querrey.
Serbia needs one more win over the United States to reach the World Group quarter-finals for the first time.
Listen Novak’s audio interview here!
