Davis Cup: Russia in the semi-final - dramatic defeat for Serbia with Djokovic and Troicki
Russia has reached the semi-finals at the Davis Cup. Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev won the deciding double against Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki after saving three match points with 6: 4, 6: 4 and 7: 6 (8).
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Nov 22, 2019, 04:54 pm
The Serbian team led in break one and two in each case early with a break, set one but got in the end but Khachanov and Rublev. In set two, Djokovic was angry: He had to accept the rebreak to 4: 3 and received a warning because of ball abuse. In addition, the world number two had elbow problems. After the set - thanks to a double error by Khachanov - Djokovic took a medical break, but could continue playing.
Djokovic had been operated in early 2018 on the right arm, after he had always problems in the two seasons before. Again this year in Cincinnati he seemed to have problems here again. A few weeks ago he also had to have an intervention on his left shoulder.
In the deciding set Djokovic survived in a 2: 2 15:40, including after a long forehand duel with Khachanov; Rublev came in at 4: 5 through a 0:30.
In the tiebreak Djokovic showed courage, as he balanced out a mini-break with good anticipation on the net. Serbia then came to the first three match balls, but Troicki was nervous, especially a messed-out forehand volley in match ball number three was bitter. In the end, Rublev secured the Russians victory with a service winner.
Russia will meet Canada on Saturday.
Rublev and Djokovic convince in the individual
Rublev had put Russia 1-0 up front and scored an impressive 6-1, 6-2 against Filip Krajinovic. Afterwards, Novak Djokovic was equally convincing with 6: 3, 6: 3. Djokovic then came in for Janko Tipsarevic shortly after his use in the doubles.
On Thursday evening Canada had already reached the quarter-finals after defeating Australia as the first team. Vasek Pospisil / Denis Shapovalov had taken the decisive victory here, before Pospisil had defeated John Millman and Alex de Minaur brought in a dramatic 3: 6, 6: 3, 7: 6 equalizer. Nick Kyrgios was out of action due to a collarbone injury.
On Friday evening, Germany are still playing against Great Britain ( here in the live ticker !) And Spain against Argentina for the semi-finals. Both games start at 17.30 CET, DAZN broadcasts.