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Djokovic Seals Tie For Serbia

  • Posted: Nov 26, 2021

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic secured victory for Serbia Friday at the Davis Cup Finals, cruising past Dennis Novak 6-3, 6-2 to give them a 2-0 lead against Austria in Group F.

The 34-year-old did not face a break point and found his rhythm as the match went on, winning nine of the last 11 games to secure victory in 60 minutes. Djokovic has now recorded 35 Davis Cup singles wins.

“It feels great to play for Serbia again,” Djokovic said. “We are part of an individual sport, but I love to play for my country and I try to play when they need me. It has been a long year, but you always find extra motivation playing for your country.”

Earlier, Dusan Lajovic stood firm under pressure, edging Gerald Melzer 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 to give Serbia a 1-0 lead in Innsbruck, Austria.

The World No. 33 fired 29 winners and recovered from squandering a break advantage in the third set, converting his fourth match point to secure victory after two hours and 42 minutes.

“It is the Davis Cup. It is the emotions, the stress, the pressure,” Lajovic said. “It is the tight moments all the time. He played some good tennis in the past couple of months, and had confidence and showed it today, playing great tennis. My team helped me so much.”

Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic will play Oliver Marach and Philipp Oswald in the doubles.

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Sinner Secures Italy Victory

  • Posted: Nov 26, 2021

Jannik Sinner produced a ruthless performance on his Davis Cup Finals debut Friday to secure victory for Italy against the United States, overcoming John Isner 6-2, 6-0 at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.

The World No. 10 backed up Lorenzo Sonego’s win by striking 16 winners and committing just four unforced errors to earn victory after 64 minutes.

“Playing here was very special,” Sinner said. “Today we have won already, which is great. We have a great team and everyone is a great guy as well, so we are just trying to stay together. I am very honoured to be a part of this.”

Earlier, Sonego delivered on his Davis Cup Finals debut to give Italy a 1-0 lead over the United States, defeating Reilly Opelka 6-3, 7-6(4).

The 26-year-old, who triumphed on home soil in Cagliari this season, was strong on serve, winning 90 per cent (38/42) of points behind his first delivery and saving the one break point he faced to secure victory in one hour and 31 minutes.

“It was not easy,” Sonego said. “It was the first time for me competing at the Davis Cup and I am really happy about the match. Thank you everyone.”

In the final match of the evening, the United States earned a point as Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock moved past Fabio Fognini and Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(5), 6-2 after one hour and 36 minutes in the doubles. Italy clinched the tie 2-1 overall, though.

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Spain Defeats Ecuador In Madrid

  • Posted: Nov 26, 2021

Pablo Carreno Busta survived a major scare Friday at the Davis Cup Finals, overcoming Emilio Gomez 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5) to give Spain victory against Ecuador in Group A in Madrid.

The 30-year-old recovered from squandering a 5-2 lead in the third set and two match points at 5-3, raising his level in the third-set tie-break as he hit with great depth and power to seal his win against the World No. 149 after two hours and 39 minutes.

“I am very happy because it was an important victory,” Carreno Busta said. “We now lead 2-0 and have the win. It is very important for the confidence and for the rhythm. In the second set and third set I felt more comfortable than in the first set. I had to continue fighting until the end because he played really well.”

A fired up Feliciano Lopez had given Spain a 1-0 lead when he recorded his seventh singles win at the Davis Cup Finals, defeating Roberto Quiroz 6-3, 6-3.

The 40-year-old hit 13 aces and saved all five break points he faced to earn victory after 82 minutes in front of a lively home crowd at the Madrid Arena.

“I still have the passion for the game,” Lopez said. “Without that passion I wouldn’t be here. I am 40 years old and have been playing on the Tour for such a long time and it is true without this passion it would not be possible to keep training each day. I have been waiting for moments like this, giving the first point to my country.”

Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers then sealed the win for Spain in style, edging Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) after two hours and 45 minutes.

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Tsitsipas 'Focused On Healthier Future' After Elbow Injury Update

  • Posted: Nov 26, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas insists that he is “focused on a happier and healthier future” after posting a photograph on Facebook Thursday with bandages over his right elbow.

“Things often get tougher before they get easier, but with each struggle we get an opportunity to create our own unique story,” wrote Tsitsipas, in his Facebook post from a Swiss hospital bed. “Some days life is all about your dreams, hopes and visions for the future. There are also days where life is just about putting one foot in front of the other and that’s okay too.

“To all the fans, thank you for your continuous support and encouragement. [I’m now] focused on a healthier and happier future. Next stop, pre-season in Dubai two weeks from now and then looking forwards to Australia.”

The World No. 4 retired in his first match against Alexei Popyrin at the Rolex Paris Masters on 3 November, then withdrew from last week’s Nitto ATP Finals after a round-robin loss to Andrey Rublev.

Tsitsipas compiled a 55-19 match record this year, including his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (d. Rublev) and at the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon (d. Norrie), an ATP 250 event.

The 23-year-old, who rose to a career-high No. 3 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on 9 August, was runner-up in his first major championship final at Roland Garros (l. to Djokovic). He also reached finals at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in Acapulco (l. to Zverev) and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (l. to Nadal).

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