Help
3/7/10 10:53 PM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic needs five sets to defeat John Isner on Sunday afternoon in Belgrade. With Djokovic's victory, Serbia is through to a Davis Cup quarterfinal clash against Croatia.
Serbia reached the Davis Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history, but not before an epic struggle.
Not a single live rubber--not even the doubles match--lasted fewer than three hours, and the tie ended in appropriate fashion on Sunday afternoon in Belgrade; with Novak Djokovic overcoming John Isner in a five-set marathon. Djokovic beat Isner 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 in four hours and 16 minutes to give Serbia a 3-1 victory over the United States.
The back-and-forth affair saw Djokovic dominate on serve in the early going. He faced no break points in the first set and finally struck with Isner serving to stay alive at 5-6. Djokovic converted his fourth break-point chance of the afternoon to finish off the set in style. However, the Serb has not been winning matches in easy fashion of late, and Sunday was no different. His game fell off considerably in set two and having already surrendered one break, Djokovic dropped serve again at 3-5 as Isner leveled the match.
Roles were reversed in the third frame of play, as Isner soon found himself serving to stay in the set at 3-5. The 6'9'' American double-faulted on set point to fall behind one more time.
Again, Isner fought back from behind. The world No. 20 forced a fourth-set tiebreaker as neither man got a look at a break opportunity. In fact, each player won a mere six return points in the entire set. Isner, however, won one more than Djokovic in the ensuing 'breaker, clinching it eight points to six. Djokovic fought back from a point penalty and a 6-4 deficit, but a forehand error at 6-7 took the showdown to a fifth set.
The final momentum swing came at 2-2 in the fifth when Djokovic seized an all-important break. Refusing to go away quietly, Isner saved three match points while serving at 3-5 and fought off two more as his opponent served for the win at 5-4. At last, though, Djokovic converted his sixth chance with a huge service winner.
"Isner fought like crazy and his serve was unbelievable," Djokovic said. "His serves are coming like from the fourth floor and I had no idea where they would go."
"We came up a little short but I think we have a lot to look forward to in U.S. tennis," U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe assured. "John had just an incredible three days of tennis. To make Novak Djokovic battle for five sets the whole way was just an awesome effort."
Isner finished with 24 aces, five double-faults, 67 winners, and 53 unforced errors. Djokovic wrapped up his victorious effort with seven aces, 10 double-faults, 55 winners, and 34 errors.
Tell a friend »
In fact, Nole just repeated what Viktor said on Friday. Viktor said that it was hard playing against John as it seemed "like his serves were coming from the third floor." :))
danica , 3/8/10 1:21 PM
Congrats to Serbia. Well played by Nole, and I can't help but think that this experience will help Querrey and Isner -- and the U.S. -- down the road.
SenorPlaid , 3/8/10 3:38 PM
Men's Tennis Power Rankings: Novak Djokovic Edges Roger Federer for Top Spot
The Top 10
1. Novak Djokovic (Last Power Ranking: OLI; ATP Ranking: 2)
Last Four Tournaments: Dubai [Winner], Rotterdam [Semifinalist], 2010 Australian Open [Quarterfinalist], ATP WTF London [RR 2-1]
Power Ranking Points: 382
2. Roger Federer (Last Power Ranking: 2; ATP Ranking: 1)
Last Four Tournaments: Australian Open [Winner]; Doha [Semifinalist]; London [Semifinalist]; Paris [R64]
Power Ranking Points: 371
3. David Ferrer (Last Power Ranking: NR; ATP Ranking: 16)
4. Juan Carlos Ferrero (Last Power Ranking: 4; ATP Ranking: 14)
5. Andy Murray (Last Power Ranking: 5; ATP Ranking: 4)
6. Marin Cilic (Last Power Ranking: 7; ATP Ranking: 9)
7. Mikhail Youzhny (Last Power Ranking: OLI; ATP Ranking: 13)
8. Sam Querrey (Last Power Ranking: 1; ATP Ranking: 22)
9 . Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Last Power Ranking: 10; ATP Ranking: 11)
10. John Isner (Last Power Ranking: 3; ATP Ranking: 20)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/358857-mens-tennis-power-ran kings-novak-djokovic-edges-federer-for-top-spot
FEDistheGOAT , 3/8/10 7:15 PM
OMG...he got 11 point more than Roge!!!... now it is easy...he'll be No1 very quickly ...
zare , 3/9/10 1:53 PM
zare, but the bigger tournaments are here now...roger, rafa, andy will all be back!
stu , 3/9/10 3:51 PM
oh, they will be... *sigh* and Nole is tired. Switching climates from -2 to +32... he has just few days to accomodate. And, I don't want him to burn out completely at IW . It would be better to save strength for Miami, where he has to defend final!
OllyK , 3/9/10 4:17 PM
on the other hand, if he lets the adrenalin of dubai and the davis cup carry him to the IW title, then there will not be much pressure at miami!
stu , 3/9/10 4:54 PM
stu, that would be perfect! :) But last year when he won Basel and Paris in a row he had no strength left in him for London...Reservoirs of adrenalin were empty too, I guess...On the other hand, it was the end of the season and it was expected! March is far far away from the end of 2010, sooo, maybe you are right!! :)
OllyK , 3/9/10 5:08 PM
he did okay in London actually Olly...just that loss to Soda came out of nowhere but he did beat Davydenko in top form...
anyway i think (hope) the davis cup should not have been too tiring. for a player of his calibre 9 sets in 10 days should not be a huge deal. although the temperature and surface changes will be...it's all a question of a good draw...can't wait till it comes out!
stu , 3/9/10 5:15 PM
stu, you are giving me great "faith, Olly, faith" lesson! :) I will be more than ready by the time tourney starts! :) I'm becoming "posmatrac" with these pessimistic thoughts. :D
OllyK , 3/9/10 5:40 PM
ollyk, don't forget wht Duro would say, "In Novak We Trust!"
hey, whatever happened to old mr. posmatrac?
zoey234 , 3/9/10 5:54 PM
heeeey, zooeey! :) Oh-oh, Duro will be angry if he reads my pessimistic thoughts! :P Yes, of course, IN NO1-LE WE TRUST! ;)
Regarding posmatrac: none knows... He just disappeared. I hope he is not banned or sth like that....
OllyK , 3/9/10 6:02 PM
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2010, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
"His serves are coming from the fourth floor and i had no idea where would go" loooooooooool hilarious Nole...
Believe , 3/8/10 3:32 AM