Djokovic seals Serbia tie at Davis Cup Finals, Italy down U.S.

Vienna, November 27 (BNA): World number one Novak Djokovic beat Dennis Novak after Dusan Lajovic beat Gerald Melzer, and Serbia won 3-0 in the opening match against its host Austria in Group F in the Davis Cup finals in Innsbruck. Friday.

Djokovic, who had been aiming to lead Serbia to their first title since 2010 and second overall, worked easily on his opponent as he lost just six points on serve and did not face a break point while grabbing a 6-3 6-2 victory in less than an hour, Reuters reported.

“I felt very good,” Djokovic told reporters. “I was locked in from the first point, determined to carry out the match plan.”

“The deciding match was the eighth game of the first set, 4-3, fresh balls. I was able to get a few extra returns, get him to play, and mix the pace. After that, there was no turning back. I served well, and moved great” .

Lagogovic had an even more difficult time against Melzer, the younger brother of fellow pro Jürgen, as he had to toil to take a 7-6 (5) 3-6 7-5 win.

The 31-year-old missed a breakout advantage in the third set but recovered to convert his fourth game point and seal the victory.

“It’s the Davis Cup,” Lajovic said. “It’s the emotions, the tension, the pressure. It’s the tough moments all the time.” “He’s played some really good tennis in the last couple of months, he’s had the confidence and he showed it today, and he’s playing great tennis.

Nikola Kasic and Filip Krajinovic defeated Serbia 7-6 (4) 4-6 6-3 over Oliver Marach and Philip Oswald.

Elsewhere, Lorenzo Sonego and Jannick Sener secured a sure-fire singles win to give Group E hosts Italy a 2-0 lead over the United States in Turin before losing doubles in straight sets.

Italian rookie Sonego got off to the perfect start with a 6-3 7-6 (4) win over top player Riley Opelka with a disciplined display that included one easy mistake.

“Playing here hasn’t been easy, but this crowd…it’s my first Davis Cup and I’ve been really looking forward to this match – thank you everyone,” the 26-year-old said.

World number 10 Sener, who made his ATP Finals debut this month, put the tie in without a doubt as he crushed 17 winners in a 6-2, 6-0 win over John Isner.

“Playing here was very special,” said Sener. “Today we won already, which is great. We have a great team and everyone is a great guy too, so we’re just trying to stay together. I’m very honored to be a part of this.”

In Madrid, Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta helped defending champions Spain to an indomitable 2-0 lead over newcomer Ecuador.

Veteran Lopez outplayed Roberto Queiroz 6-3 6-3 before Carreno Busta fought back from a set down to defeat Emilio Gomez 5-7 6-3 7-6 (5) to win the victory for Spain.

Carreno Busta then returned to play doubles with Marcel Granollers, and the Spanish duo won 6-4, 6-7 (5) 7-6 (2) over Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo.

NS