Djokovic helps Serbia to 2-1 win
A near-perfect Novak Djokovic won both his singles and doubles rubbers as Serbia beat France 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the inaugural ATP Cup teams event in Brisbane yesterday.
After Benoit Paire beat Dusan Lajovic to give France a 1-0 lead, Djokovic overpowered Gael Monfils in straight sets then teamed with Viktor Troicki to beat Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-6 (5/7), 10-3 in a spirited and emotional doubles clash.
The win, combined with South Africa’s earlier defeat of Chile, means Serbia are assured of topping Group A with one round remaining.
Djokovic was in superb touch to level the tie following Lajovic’s three-set loss to Paire in the opening rubber.
He had beaten Monfils in all 15 previous meetings and that perfect record never looked in danger as he dominated the Frenchman from the outset.
Djokovic, one of the best returners in men’s tennis, put relentless pressure on Monfils’ serve throughout, breaking him three times.
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