Troicki Puts Serbia Into Quarterfinals

BELGRADE, SERBIA – Former Davis Cup by BNP Paribas winners Serbia set up a blockbuster
quarterfinal tie with holders Great Britain after edging Kazakhstan 3-2 in a titanic tussle. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki won Sunday’s reverse singles against Mikhail Kukushkin and Aleksandr Nedovyesov respectively.
Djokovic prevailed in an absorbing five-hour match against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin 67(6) 76(3) 46 63 62, while Troicki enjoyed a comfortable 62 63 64 whitewash of Nedovyesov to propel Serbia into the last eight, where Britain await after they recorded a 3-1 home win over Japan.
The final day was an icing on the cake of the absorbing contest, with Kukushkin producing a spirited performance to push Djokovic to the limit in a jam-packed Aleksandar Nikolic Arena.
Trailing by two sets to one, Djokovic had to dig deep into his resources to sink his inspired opponent, who could not put a foot wrong in the opening three sets.
Devoid of pressure against his more heralded opponent, Kukushkin was razor-sharp and tormented Djokovic with a variety of breathtaking shots, varying from stinging baseline winners to delightful lobs and volleys.
Djokovic, in contrast, struggled with his first serve and committed a barrage of unforced errors, looking weary after playing in Friday’s opening singles and Saturday’s doubles.
At one point, he had to support himself with his racket after a strength-sapping rally, while he also rubbed his upper body and head with ice during breaks in between games and was treated for cramps.
Just when the match seemed to be slipping away from him, Serbia’s prodigal son found the extra bit of energy he so badly needed to move up a gear and keep his team’s challenge alive.
Looking every bit in Djokovic’s class up to that point, Kukushkin suddenly found himself on the back foot as the world’s top-ranked player looked more like the winner of 11 Grand Slam tournaments.
Pounding his opponent with service winners and scorching forehands, Djokovic turned the contest on its head and sealed it in 4 hours and 57 minutes, drawing a standing ovation from the home crowd.
With fans exhausted almost as much as the players, Djokovic – who could barely stand on his feet – grabbed the microphone at the end of his showdown with Kukushkin and pleaded with the home supporters to fight their fatigue and stay to support Troicki.
“You made the difference and gave me the energy to come out on top and I have to thank you for that,” Djokovic said courtside.
“I know you’ve lost your voices after five hours of cheering, you must be tired, but please stay because Viktor is playing now and needs your support to win,” he added.
At the press conference, Djokovic heaped praise on his rival and acknowledged that fan support – with the home faithful engaged in their own slugfest against a small but loud Kazakh contingent – lifted him when he lacked energy.
“I want to congratulate my opponent for a fantastic performance and he would have been a worthy winner too. He was very consistent from the baseline while I have been struggling for fitness the last few days,” said Djokovic.
“The fans were fantastic and their support got me out of trouble at key moments in the match. I was in bad shape after the third set but fortunately I pulled through and won. My body told me several times during the match that it’s had enough but with this crowd behind me, my heart and mind prevailed.”
Kukushkin was gracious in defeat.
“It was a very difficult and emotional match. I didn’t play well in the last two sets. Novak improved late in the fourth and after he did, I was no longer on an even keel with him.”
Troicki, who was soundly beaten by Kukushkin on Friday, then took centre stage and made amends with a much more confident performance against Nedovyesov, racing through the opening two sets.
The Kazakh could not keep up with his opponent’s pace and Troicki, roared on by passionate home fans including two drummers’ sections and a brass band, took advantage to produce a much more composed and confident performance than he did on the opening day.
With Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, among the fans who stayed in the acoustic venue to support him, Troicki broke Nedovyesov serve early in the third set and from there on, there was only going to be one outcome.
Troicki held serve comfortably and was mobbed by the Serbian team after Nedovyesov sent a long forehand behind the baseline.
Serbia will be at home to Britain in their July showdown, with Djokovic and world No. 2 Andy Murray, his friend off the court and bitter rival on it, poised to face each other in what should be a memorable Davis Cup classic.

Source: DavisCup.com