Match Report
Djokovic cruises to Davis Cup win for Serbia
Ruud secures win for Norway over PortugalÂ
September 14, 2024
PEDJA MILOSAVLJEVIC/AFP via Getty Images
Novak Djokovic played his first match since his third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin at the US Open.
By Krishna Gowda
Novak Djokovic eased to a 6-0, 6-1 victory Saturday over Ioannis Xilas to give Serbia a 2-0 lead over Greece in their Davis Cup tie against Greece.
The 37-year-old, who won the Davis Cup with Serbia in 2010, converted five of his seven break points to wrap up the match in just 45 minutes.
The No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings is trying to help Serbia win their World Group I tie to advance to the Davis Cup Qualifiers next year. Earlier in the tie, Miomir Kecmanovic gave Serbia a 1-0 lead with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Aristotelis Thanos.
Djokovic is playing his first match since his four-set loss to Alexei Popyrin in the third round at the US Open. He is aiming to rediscover his form in the final two months of the season as he chases a spot at November’s Nitto ATPÂ Finals. The seven-time champion at the prestigious season finale is currently ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin.
Casper Ruud secured a 3-1 win for Norway in their World Group I tie against Portugal with a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over Jaime Faria.
Earlier, Ruud helped Norway take a 2-1 lead, winning the doubles rubber 7-5, 6-3 alongside Viktor Durasovic over Francisco Cabral and Jaime Faria.
There were star performances yesterday in the tie on Friday from #NextGenATP players Henrique Rocha and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
Wimbledon Boys’ singles champion Budkov Kjaer claimed a tight three-set victory over Faria to put Norway 1-0. However, Portugal bounced back thanks to Rocha, who earned the biggest victory of his career by winning 6-3, 6-4 to upset Ruud and level the tie going into Saturday’s matches.
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