Nadal hot for Spain but Serbia struggles
Source: Agencies |
March 6, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
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WORLD No. 1 Rafael Nadal's return helped Spain make a commanding start in its quest to regain the Davis Cup but Novak Djokovic's absence left holder Serbia struggling against India on Friday.
Australian Open champion Djokovic, the best player in the world on current form, skipped his country's World Group first round tie against India to prepare for Indian Wells next week.
However, that decision could return to haunt Serbia which ended the first day locked at 1-1 in Novi Sad.
After Viktor Troicki scraped past Rohan Bopanna, a player 600 rungs below him in the rankings, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, 6-3 India hit back when Somdev Devvarman stunned Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Yesterday's doubles, when Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac took on Devvarman and Bopanna, looks set to be a nervy affair for the hosts who claimed their first Davis Cup triumph against France in Belgrade just three months ago.
Best shot
"We definitely believe now we can win this tie and we will go out there to give it our best shot," the 93rd ranked Devvarman told reporters inside the Spens Sports Centre.
Spain roared into a 2-0 opening-day lead against Belgium in Charleroi despite a late reshuffle in which Fernando Verdasco replaced the injured David Ferrer.
Verdasco thumped Xavier Malisse 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 before Nadal, back in action for the first time since injuring himself in a quarterfinal defeat by Ferrer at the Australian Open, flexed his muscles during a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 battering of Ruben Bemelmans.
The US and Chile, possible quarterfinal opponents for Spain, were all square after the first day in Santiago.
Andy Roddick beat Nicolas Massu in four sets but John Isner squandered a two-set lead against 165th-ranked Paul Capdeville, losing a gruelling match 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Germany and Croatia were tied at 1-1 in Zagreb while World Group debutante Kazakhstan shared the opening day's singles with the Czech Republic in Ostrava.
Australian Open champion Djokovic, the best player in the world on current form, skipped his country's World Group first round tie against India to prepare for Indian Wells next week.
However, that decision could return to haunt Serbia which ended the first day locked at 1-1 in Novi Sad.
After Viktor Troicki scraped past Rohan Bopanna, a player 600 rungs below him in the rankings, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, 6-3 India hit back when Somdev Devvarman stunned Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Yesterday's doubles, when Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac took on Devvarman and Bopanna, looks set to be a nervy affair for the hosts who claimed their first Davis Cup triumph against France in Belgrade just three months ago.
Best shot
"We definitely believe now we can win this tie and we will go out there to give it our best shot," the 93rd ranked Devvarman told reporters inside the Spens Sports Centre.
Spain roared into a 2-0 opening-day lead against Belgium in Charleroi despite a late reshuffle in which Fernando Verdasco replaced the injured David Ferrer.
Verdasco thumped Xavier Malisse 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 before Nadal, back in action for the first time since injuring himself in a quarterfinal defeat by Ferrer at the Australian Open, flexed his muscles during a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 battering of Ruben Bemelmans.
The US and Chile, possible quarterfinal opponents for Spain, were all square after the first day in Santiago.
Andy Roddick beat Nicolas Massu in four sets but John Isner squandered a two-set lead against 165th-ranked Paul Capdeville, losing a gruelling match 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Germany and Croatia were tied at 1-1 in Zagreb while World Group debutante Kazakhstan shared the opening day's singles with the Czech Republic in Ostrava.
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