Djokovic survives scare in Davis Cup

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Djokovic survives scare in Davis Cup
Novak Djokovic survived an injury scare and battled back from a set and a break down to help Serbia take a 2-0 lead over Russia.

Published: Sat 4 Feb 2017, 7:09 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Feb 2017, 9:12 PM

Novak Djokovic survived an injury scare and battled back from a set and a break down to help Serbia take a 2-0 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup World Group tie on Friday.
Twelve-time major winner Djokovic, just one of two of the world's top 15 playing in the first round this weekend, dropped the first set and was 0-3 down in the second against promising 20-year-old Daniil Medvedev in Nis.
Djokovic, looking to rebuild his confidence after a shock second round exit at the Australian Open, needed first-set treatment on his right shoulder before recovering for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 lead.
Medvedev dropped the opening game of the fourth set and then retired with cramps. Earlier, world number 37 Viktor Troicki had given 2010 champions Serbia a winning start, downing 52nd-ranked Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8/6) in a 4hr 30min marathon.
"The pain I had prevented me from playing the points as I wanted to," said Djokovic. "But it's a good victory and we are in a very good position."
The winners of the tie will face either five-time champions Spain or Croatia in the quarter-finals.
Despite missing former US Open champion Marin Cilic, the Croats took the lead in Osijek when world number 223 Franko Skugor stunned 26th-ranked Pablo Carreno Busta 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6).
Roberto Bautista Agut steadied the ship for Spain with the world 16 breezing past Ante Pavic - ranked at 486 - 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
Australia became the first team to reach the quarter-finals when doubles pair John Peers and Sam Groth crushed Czechs Jiri Vesely and Jan Satral 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in Melbourne for an unassailable 3-0 lead.
A day earlier, controversial world number 15 Nick Kyrgios had powered Australia to a 2-0 lead with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 win over the 157th-ranked Jan Satral. Rookie Jordan Thompson upset Jiri Vesely 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. The Czechs, already missing world number 10 Tomas Berdych, were further disadvantaged when experienced Radek Stepanek was forced to withdraw from the doubles with injury.
The 28-time champions Australia could next face the United States, the 32-time winners who were 2-0 up on Switzerland in Birmingham, Alabama.
The US went in as heavy favourites after Australian Open champion Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka opted not to play.
Jack Sock gave the Americans a flying start with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 win over veteran Marco Chiudinelli. John Isner followed with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) victory over Henri Laaksonen.
Argentina endured a traumatic start to their title defence when they slumped 2-0 down to Italy despite the fervent support of Diego Maradona.
Playing without Juan Martin del Potro and Federico Delbonis, the stars of their 2016 final victory over Croatia, the South Americans were outclassed at the Parque Sarmiento in Buenos Aires.
A crowd of 2,000, including football icon Maradona, failed to inspire Guido Pella who lost to veteran Paolo Lorenzi, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

By Agencies

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