DAVIS CUP World Group 1st Round Serbia Ousts United States

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 00:00

SERBIA beat the UNITED STATES 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup for the very first time. The small Balkan country is celebrating in Belgrade and all over the land the victory over a nation that has won the trophy 32 times.

That was a first meeting between the two countries and the event, at the 20,000 seat Beogradska Arena, created an atmosphere that is unique to Davis Cup.

Although the final score was 3-2, the tie was decided in the first reverse singles on Sunday when Novak Djokovic defeated John Isner 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 on his sixth match point in a thrilling 4 hours, 16 minutes match.

“Every match you win for your country, play for your country, is a very special one,” Djokovic said.

The victory is monumental for Serbia, as it will help building a history of tennis in the country.

In the quarterfinals, Serbia will travel to neighbouring Croatia for another difficult tie.

ARGENTINA defeated SWEDEN 3-2 in Stockholm, in the only tie decided in the fifth and decisive match.

David Nalbandian was the hero of the hour for Argentina on Sunday after winning the deciding match, and giving the third point to his country, in a classic Davis Cup three-day contest.

After Robin Soderling had leveled the tie at 2-2 by beating Leonardo Mayer, Argentine captain Tito Vasquez gambled on Bringing Nalbandian in for the deciding rubber.

Nalbandian, suffering from a recent leg injury, wasn’t supposed to play, but with the absence of Juan Martin del Potro and Juan Monaco, Vasquez called him for the Stockholm tie. After helping in the doubles victory, Nalbandian produced a solid performance to beat Andreas Vinciguerra 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and earn Argentina a quarterfinal trip to Russia in July.

THE OTHER TIES brought no surprises. Defending champion Spain – without Rafael Nadal – came back after losing the first rubber to beat Switzerland 4-1. The Spaniards will be in danger in the next tie, as they will travel to France who defeated Germany 4-1. The french will probably receive the back-to-back champions on indoor hard-court.

Russia had no trouble against India, the Russian secured the tie after leading 3-0, for a final 3-2 victory.

Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic outclassed the Belgium players, needing just nine sets to win the tie. The final result was 4-1, and the Czechs will travel to Chile who defeated Israel also 4-1.

Fernando Gonzalez, who earned the decisive point for his country in the first Sunday’s singles, dedicated the victory to his battered countrymen after the earthquake that devastated Chile.

“The important thing was to win, whichever the way,” Said Gonzalez. “We are very happy with this victory, and we hope it is something to get happy about, even if it’s small happiness, for all the people affected by the earthquake.”

Gonzalez has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open -ATP Masters 1000 starting Thursday- to take time to tour areas of Chile affected by the catastrophe.

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DAVIS CUP World Group 1st Round Serbia Ousts United States

DAVIS CUP World Group 1st Round Serbia Ousts United States

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