Audio By Carbonatix
Novak Djokovic has defeated rival Rafael Nadal in the pair's first meeting of the decade, then triumphed in doubles action to deliver the ATP Cup to Serbia.
Serbia had fallen behind in the showpiece after Roberto Bautista-Agut defeated Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 6-1 but Djokovic levelled the tie in second singles rubber against Nadal before partnering Victor Troicki in the decider against Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta.
Djokovic made a fine start to the contest with Nadal, breaking in an elongated first game and leading for the remainder of the first set against an increasingly irate Nadal, who was seen remonstrating with the umpire then the crowd after being broken as the Serb took a 5-2 lead.
Nadal regrouped in the second set but squandered his first breakpoints of the match as Djokovic recovered from a 0-40 deficit to hold and make it 3-3.
The miss almost proved costly. Djokovic looked to have the match in the bag when he went 15-40 at 5-5 on the Nadal serve but the Spaniard summoned up two fantastic shots to stay in the contest, the first a volley which drew even the Serb's applause, the second a backhand down the line clocked at over 150 km/h.
When the set went to the eventual tiebreaker, a lax series of shots from Nadal gave Djokovic three match points, the first of which he converted as the US Open champion netted a forehand.
Nadal has now lost 19 straight sets on hard courts against Djokovic.
Nadal did not return for the doubles but Spain made a strong start in his absence, breaking Djokovic in the first game of the doubles rubber.
However, Serbia's class told and they mounted a fine comeback to win the first set 6-3 and after breaking in the first game of the second, Djokovic was on hand to serve it out and claim the inaugural title.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Indonesians raise white flags as anger grows over slow flood aid
48 minutes -
Why passport stamps may be a thing of the past
59 minutes -
Pope Leo urges ‘courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address
1 hour -
Commentary on Noah Adamtey v Attorney General: A constitutional challenge to Office of Special Prosecutor
1 hour -
24/7 campaigning is a choice, not democracy – Constitution Review Chair
2 hours -
4 years is too short as Ghana lags behind global democratic standards – Constitution Review Chair
2 hours -
GOLDBOD CEO explains ‘Clear Typo’ in Foreign Reserves claim
4 hours -
Trump says US military struck ISIS terrorists in Nigeria
5 hours -
Civil society group calls on BoG to suspend planned normalisation of non-interest banking
7 hours -
King Charles’ Christmas message urges unity in divided world
7 hours -
Jingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve
7 hours -
Brazil ex-President Jair Bolsonaro’s surgery for hernia ‘successful’
7 hours -
Ghana and Afreximbank announce successful resolution of $750 million facility
10 hours -
IGP inaugurates Ghana Police Music AcademyÂ
10 hours -
Proposed 5-year presidential term will be difficult for underperforming presidents to seek more – Prof Prempeh
10 hours
