Novak Djokovic starts the Davis Cup in fine style as Britain beat France

Novak Djokovic helped get Serbia off to a winning start against Austria in the Davis Cup Finals with a comfortable victory over Dennis Novak.
Djokovic triumphed 6-3 6-2 in the second rubber as Serbia cruised to a 3-0 Group F win in Innsbruck, with Dusan Lajovic also chalking up a singles victory over Gerald Melzer while Nikola Cacic and Filip Krajinovic prevailed in the doubles.
Defending champions Spain beat Ecuador by the same scoreline, with Pablo Carreno Busta taken to three sets in both his singles clash with Emilio Gomez and as part of a doubles pairing with Marcel Granollers.
Feliciano Lopez had won the opening singles rubber 6-3 6-3 against Roberto Quiroz in Madrid.
The day’s remaining tie saw the United states beaten 2-1 by Italy in Turin.
Reilly Opelka and John Isner lost to Lorenzo Sonego and Jannik Sinner respectively, but Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock ensured it was not a whitewash by beating Fabio Fognini and Lorenzo Musetti in the doubles rubber.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s action saw Britain’s Dan Evans pull off a big win for Great Britain against France’s Adrian Mannarino.
https://twitter.com/the_LTA/status/1464541526504136704?s=20
Playing behind closed doors in Innsbruck, Evans served out the first set at the second time of asking and then broke serve in the ninth game of the second to clinch a 7-5 6-4 win.
“My job is to set the tie up for the other guys. I did well,” said Evans.
“It was a difficult match. He obviously played number one the other day. That’s sort of the beauty of the competition: you can move the players around. I think they were hoping to get that win to set their tie up.
“They’ve got a strong, strong doubles. Rinderknech is out there hitting the ball good. That’s a good win. Now it’s time for the other boys to hopefully finish the tie off for us.”
It played out that way thanks to Norrie’s 6-2 7-6 (8) victory over Rinderknech, who like his opponent has rocketed up the rankings in 2021.
Norrie now sits at world number 12 but this was only his third Davis Cup tie.
Latest
-
News
Heather Watson reaping the benefits of hard work at last
The 30-year-old says the paradise location of Hua Hin is helping her find her best tennis.
-
ATP Tour
Boris Becker sends Alexander Zverev stark warning
Alexander Zverev has been given a warning by Boris Becker.
-
Australian Open
Andy Murray weighs in on disappointing Australian Open TV numbers
Andy Murray pointed to the rise in streaming and the opening of new markets as big positives for the game.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is he competing next and his season so far…
Rafael Nadal’s confirmed and unconfirmed events for the 2023 tennis season.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is he competing next and his season so far…
When and where will world No 1 Novak Djokovic play his next tournament?
-
WTA Tour
WTA Tour: ‘Fans have it good on the women’s side’
The WTA Tour promises an incredible ride in 2023.
-
News
ATP confirms it will take no action against Alexander Zverev after domestic abuse investigation
The German was accused of domestic abuse by his former girlfriend, Olya Sharypova, in 2020.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic accused of being a ‘turn-off’ as poor Australian Open viewing figures revealed
Novak Djokovic has been accused of being a turn-off for TV viewers at the Australian Open.
-
Tennis News
Tennis stars of tomorrow: Featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu
Annabelle Spiers looks at the new cast of tennis characters for fans to get behind.
-
Tennis News
Top 10 men’s Grand Slam match wins: Novak Djokovic edges closer to Roger Federer
Some of the all-time greats feature on list.