Russia beat Novak Djokovic’s Serbia on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Davis Cup following a cliff-hanger match that went all the way to a deciding tie-breaker.
With the quarter-final level at 1-1 following the singles, the Russian pairing of Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev faced Djokovic and Viktor Troicki in the deciding rubber.
After a see-saw match of high drama the Russians came out 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10/8) winners and face Canada, quarter-final victors over Australia, in Saturday’s semi-finals.
“It was heads or tails and the coin fell on our side,” Rublev said.
“God gave me a chance to be a hero,” he added.
Kachanov was already looking forward to the next match.
“We’ll have to get it together for Canada,” he said of the semi-final.
“Luck was on our side here, but this was one of the biggest games of either our careers.”
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Earlier in the day Rublev won the first singles over Filip Krajinovic 6-1, 6-2 to give Russia a lead, cancelled out later by Djokovic, who overcame Khachanov 6-3, 6-3.
The world No.2 Djokovic, winner of 16 Grand Slams said the match had been “a real roller-coaster of a game, very, very emotional and very tense”.
“Sport is not all about winning and losing but this hurts me personally,” said the 32-year-old.
“Anyway the season is over now, we’ll get over it. Tomorrow is another day.”
– Djoko pain –
AFP / OSCAR DEL POZONovak Djokovic in action with Serbia coming close before crashing outIn the absence of Daniil Medvedev, the Russian star who pulled out of the event citing exhaustion, captain Shamil Tarpischev placed his faith in Rublev and Khachanov for both singles and doubles.
In the end, it all hinged on the doubles with Russia taking the first set 6-4.
In the second set and with the Serbs up 4-2 Djokovic appeared to suffer discomfort from his right elbow, the same place where her reported pain at the ATP Finals last week.
“A sudden movement caused a sharp pain, but I was still able to serve,” said Djokovic.
After receiving two massage sessions during changeovers Djokovic appeared to have recovered and Serbia were back on level terms one set-all.
The third set went to 6-6. Then the Serbs missed three match points in the tie-breaker, most agonisingly when Troicki missed an easy volley for victory.
The Russians made no mistake when their turn came, clinching victory with their first match point.
AFP SPORTS
