ATP Finals contract with Italy extended for five more years to 2030, with location ‘under evaluation’

A year after helping Serbia lift the Davis Cup trophy for the first time, Novak Djokovic’s lone 2011 appearance in the competition was a disaster: After his nation staved off elimination against Argentina in the semifinals with a doubles win, he took the court against Juan Martin del Potro for the fourth rubber. Going down a set and 3-0, he was forced to retire due to injury, sending the visiting nation on to the final.

Two years later, the world No. 1 looked to make amends as he joined up with stalwarts Janko Tipsarevic, Nenad Zimonjic, Viktor Troicki and Ilija Bozoljac to reach the semifinals once again.

There, they would face one of the biggest surprises of the international team event that year, Canada. The North American nation had fielded its strongest team, led by Milos Raonic, Vasek Pospisil, Frank Dancevic and Daniel Nestor, to post home wins against Spain and Italy in the first two rounds.

Opening up play on the indoor clay court in Belgrade, Serbia, was Djokovic and Pospisil. With a game better-suited for clay-court tennis, the world No. 1 quickly put his team up 1-0 as he defeated Pospisil in straight sets.

A repeat result could have been expected in the second rubber as Tipsarevic, who’d won 21 Davis Cup matches on clay, took on the big-serving Raonic. However, the Canadian rallied from two sets to one down to win 10-8 in the fifth and level the tie.

The doubles rubber saw a similar result: Nestor and Pospisil staged a comeback of their own against Bozoljac and Zimonjic, winning 10-8 in the fifth to give Canada a 2-1 lead.

In the end, though, Djokovic and Tipsarevic were too strong as they posted straight-set wins against Raonic and Pospisil, respectively, to send Serbia on to the final.

Over five rubbers in Serbia’s run to this point in 2013, Djokovic only dropped one set, which came against Sam Querrey of the United States in the quarterfinals.

This was Serbia’s fourth year in a row advancing past the opening round, a run that started with its championship turn in 2010.

'13

The only other time Canada advanced this far in the Davis Cup World Group was in 1913, 100 years prior.

Follow Van on Twitter: @Van_Sias

Advertising

Baseline

Return Winners: The 2013 Davis Cup semifinals

22 Rafael Nadal quotes that sum up his fighting spirit and unique sense of humor

Jannik Sinner surpasses 30 million dollars in career prize money after winning ATP Finals

ATP Finals contract with Italy extended for five more years to 2030, with location ‘under evaluation’

No rest for the weary! Zheng Qinwen's off-season kicks off with new Audi sponsorship and Gatorade event

Jasmine Paolini still on the hunt for ‘legendary selfie’ with Rafael Nadal in Malaga

Pick of the Day: Jannik Sinner meets Taylor Fritz for ATP Finals trophy

Shaped by Rafa Nadal, Casper Ruud finds 'it’s too late to change what kind of player I am’

Jannik Sinner’s latest Gucci campaign earns Serena Williams’ seal of approval

The 2024 tennis holiday gift guide: Great-looking apparel and accessories

Return Winners: The 2013 Davis Cup semifinals