Germany’s Kevin Krawietz (2ndL) and Tim Puetz (L) are congratulated by Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (2ndR) and Nikola Cacic (R) on the finish of the lads’s doubles group stage match between Serbia and Germany of the Davis Cup tennis event in Innsbruck, on November 27, 2021. (AFP)
PARIS, France – Novak Djokovic and Nikola Cacic misplaced a dramatic deciding tie-break of their doubles rubber as Serbia suffered a shock defeat by Germany within the Davis Cup Finals, whereas Daniil Medvedev helped the Russian Tennis Federation to a gap win.
World primary Djokovic had drawn Serbia stage of their second group-stage tie by beating Jan-Lennard Struff after Filip Krajinovic’s loss to Dominik Koepfer.
However the 20-time Grand Slam singles champion and Cacic slipped to a 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) defeat by Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, who obtained over the road on their third match level in Innsbruck.
The matches in Austria are being performed behind closed doorways resulting from new coronavirus restrictions within the nation.
Germany will qualify for the quarter-finals from Group F if they’ll beat Austria on Sunday, which would depart Serbia ready to see in the event that they progress as one of many two finest runners-up.
Djokovic is hoping to cap a superb season, which noticed him solely miss out on a calendar Grand Slam with defeat by Medvedev within the US Open closing, by serving to his nation win the Davis Cup for the primary time since 2010.
The Russians, among the many title favourites, made an ideal begin to their marketing campaign with a 3-0 victory over Ecuador.
World quantity 5 Andrey Rublev overcame a second-set blip in opposition to 291st-ranked Roberto Quiroz to win 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 within the opening rubber in Madrid.
Medvedev then ensured his workforce would win the tie by thrashing Emilio Gomez 6-0, 6-2 in underneath an hour.
Gomez was given an enormous cheer by the group when he lastly obtained on the board within the eighth sport.
“I used to be prepared for it,” stated the world quantity two. “I wished to maintain it clear from the primary to the final level of the match.
“I’m actually joyful to deliver some extent to the workforce.”
Rublev and Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev accomplished the whitewash by taking the doubles rubber in opposition to Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Italy turned the primary workforce to achieve the final eight, backing up their win over the USA by seeing off Colombia to wrap up prime spot in Group E.
Lorenzo Sonego fought again to edge out Nicolas Mejia 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2, earlier than Jannik Sinner brushed apart Daniel Elahi Galan 7-5, 6-0.
Britain downs France
Earlier, British primary Cameron Norrie accomplished success in opposition to France within the second singles rubber, beating Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-6 (10/8) in Britain’s first tie.
Norrie, ranked 12 on the earth, trailed 4-1 within the tie-break earlier than rebounding to safe a match level at 6-5.
The 71st-ranked Rinderknech saved it however then let two set factors slip earlier than Norrie took the rubber on his second match level.
“For me, it’s unbelievable to be again on the workforce enjoying for my nation,” stated Norrie, who was enjoying simply his third Davis Cup tie.
“It is usually good to show myself once more, to maintain the stress on and maintain enjoying massive matches.”
Rinderknech then helped Mahut maintain their slim hopes alive of securing one of many two finest runner-up spots by outclassing Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-1, 6-4.
Dan Evans had earlier given Britain an ideal begin by beating Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-4.
Kazakhs declare opening win
Kazakhstan might be shock quarter-finalists, in the event that they beat a much-weakened Canada workforce on Sunday, after pulling off a 2-1 win over Sweden.
The Swedish singles duo of brothers Elias and Mikael Ymer appeared on track to win their second successive match after disposing of Canada 3-0 within the opener.
Elias eased previous Mikhail Kukushkin in straight units 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Youthful brother Mikael was wanting properly poised at a arrange and 4-4 within the second in opposition to the gifted however unpredictable Alexander Bublik.
The world quantity 36, although, roused himself and produced some gorgeous tennis to reel off the following six video games and take the rubber.
The Kazakhs accomplished their come-from-behind victory as Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov breezed previous Andre Goransson and Robert Lindstedt 6-3, 6-3.
Australia are all however out of the competitors regardless of a battling 2-1 win in opposition to Hungary.
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