Top-ranked Novak Djokovic decided to play doubles in Serbia's Davis Cup tie against Croatia, taking the team to victory. Djokovic easily beat Marin Draganja in straight sets on Friday, and then Viktor Troicki, needed five long sets to best 18-year-old Borna Coric.
Though Troicki was named to play doubles, Djokovic said that he felt very healthy and was ready to go, so they swapped places. Djokovic and the 38-year-old Nenad Zimonjic crushed Marin Draganja and Franko Skugor to win the tie 3-0.
“You don’t seal the deal very often in just two days," Djokovic said. "Today we decided that I am going to come in instead of Viktor because that was the best combination in this moment.Being 2-0 up after the opening day was a massive confidence boost and we did everything right today. We never faced a break point and dominated the match throughout."
The Serbs will play against Brazil or Argentina in the quarterfinals. Zimonjic, who has won 28 wins and 15 losses in Davis Cup doubles matches, was very pleased with Djokovic. "It was very nice to be on the court with Novak," Zimonjic said. "It was not easy for him to adjust to doubles because he doesn’t play doubles that often on the tour. I am really happy we played the way did and the longer the match went on the better we felt on the court."