2013 Tennis Thread

[Smallville22]

Djokovic gives Serbia 1-0 lead over Canada

Serbia took a 1-0 lead over Canada in their Davis Cup semi-final after Novak Djokovic beat Vasek Pospisil 6-2 6-0 6-4 in the opening singles rubber on Friday.
Roared on by a partisan home crowd in the Belgrade Arena, world number one Djokovic strolled to victory in one hour and 44 minutes to put 2010 winners Serbia in the driving seat.
The 26-year old from Belgrade looked a little weary in the first three games after a long-haul flight from New York following his US Open final defeat by second-ranked Rafael Nadal, but it was one-way traffic once he found his feet on the indoor red clay surface.
A small but vociferous band of visiting fans, sporting several large Canadian flags, cheered every winning shot Pospisil could muster but it was the home crowd who were on song after Djokovic wrapped up the match when Pospisil slammed a forehand into the net.
Janko Tipsarevic, who returned to the Serbian squad for the tie after a 16-month absence from the Davis Cup, faces big-serving world number 11 Milos Raonic in Friday's other singles.
The winners will play either holders Czech Republic or Argentina in the November 15-17 final.

 

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Murray coasts past Coric, Evans beaten by Dodig

Andy Murray completed a 6-3 6-0 6-3 victory over 16-year-old Borna Coric before Ivan Dodig brushed aside Dan Evans in Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Croatia.
Teenager Coric, who recently claimed the US Open boys' title, tested Murray throughout the first set, pushing the Brit all the way before being broken in the eighth game - losing the first set 6-3.
Murray cruised through the second set, punishing the 16-year-old whenever he saw fit.
To the delight of the home fans in Umag, London-based Coric went 3-1 ahead in the third set, breaking the Briton's serve with an audacious flicked winner after chasing down a drop shot, before Murray stepped up a gear clinch victory.
"The first five or six games were tough," said Murray, who is playing Davis Cup for the first time in two years as Britain try to return to the World Group.
"He was solid, he fought for every point. When he gets physically stronger, he's going to be a very tough player. The future is obviously very bright for him."
In the day's second rubber Croatia's number once wasted little time in drawing the two sides level as he put Evans to the sword.
Britain's number two, who secured two stunning victories against Kei Nishikori and then Bernard Tomic at this year's US Open, struggled against a far superior opponent as he fell 6-3 6-2 6-3.
Murray is now expected to partner Colin Fleming in Saturday's doubles, although Jonny Marray could be drafted in to replace either player.
"1-1 is certainly not a surprise after day one - it is where we expected and both favourites won," said British team captain Leon Smith.
"Whoever we put out to play in the doubles I'm confident we will do well and it will be the key rubber."

 

[Smallville22]

Nadal helps put Spain in control of playoff

A ruthless Rafa Nadal made a seamless transition from hard court to clay when he crushed Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-0 6-0 6-4 to give Spain a commanding 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group playoff in Madrid on Friday.
Turning out for his country only four days after his US Open triumph in New York, the world number two showed no sign of fatigue or sympathy for his 92nd-ranked opponent as he dismantled the hapless Stakhovsky in devastating fashion at the futuristic "Magic Box" venue.
Clubbing winners apparently at will on the Manolo Santana showcourt, Nadal put Spain firmly in control following Fernando Verdasco's 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 success against Ukrainian number one Alexandr Dolgopolov in the opening singles rubber.
Stakhovsky, who caused a sensation at Wimbledon this year when he beat seven-times champion Roger Federer in the second round, raised his arms and was given a rousing cheer when he won the opening game of the third set.
He found the inspiration to hold serve three more times before Nadal secured the crucial break to lead 5-4 and clinched victory on his first match point when Stakhovsky sent a backhand service return sailing beyond the baseline.
It was the first time in 769 career singles matches that Nadal has won the opening two sets of a best-of-five set encounter 6-0.
"Obviously it's not the ideal thing physically to change surfaces in a couple of days," the Spaniard said in a courtside interview with Spanish television broadcaster Teledeporte.
"But it's always special for me to play on clay and it's a surface that I love," the 27-year-old added.
"I had only a very short time to adapt but I more or less felt fine."
Spain need one more point for victory in the best-of-five tie and could wrap things up in Saturday's doubles as they bid to preserve their place in the elite World Group.
Captain Alex Corretja said Nadal would partner Marc Lopez, while Ukraine's designated doubles pair is Denys Molchanov and Vladyslav Manafov.
There had been doubt over Nadal's participation after his exertions at Flushing Meadows, where he beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic to claim a second US Open title and his 13th Grand Slam singles crown.
He has not played in the Davis Cup since helping Spain to victory against Argentina in the 2011 final in Seville, their third triumph in four years and fifth overall.
After Friday's stroll against Stakhovsky, the French Open champion has now won 21 of his 22 Davis Cup singles matches, including a perfect 17 out of 17 on clay.
"We don't have it wrapped up yet, there is still one point to get and we have to be careful," Nadal said.
Spain are in the playoffs after losing away to Milos Raonic's Canada in the first round in February when Nadal, who had just returned from an injury layoff, did not feature.
Djokovic picked himself up after his US Open defeat to help Serbia move ahead against Canada in Friday's World Group semi-finals, while holders Czech Republic led Argentina 1-0.
In other World Group playoff matches, world number three Andy Murray beat 16-year-old Croatian Borna Coric 6-3 6-0 6-3 as Britain ended the opening day 1-1 in Umag.
Switzerland were unable to call on Roger Federer but took a 2-0 lead against Ecuador, with US Open semi-finalist Stanislas Wawrinka getting his side off to a winning start.
Germany also opened up a 2-0 lead against Brazil.

 

[Smallville22]

Murray doubtful for doubles against Croatia

A troubling back injury could rule Andy Murray out of the doubles rubber of Britain's finely poised Davis Cup playoff with Croatia in Umag.
Murray completed a 6-3 6-0 6-3 victory over 16-year-old Borna Coric on Friday before Ivan Dodig brushed aside Dan Evans in Great Britain's to level the tie.
Murray was expected to partner Colin Fleming in Saturday's doubles, but Jonny Marray could be drafted in if Murray does not feel up to it.
"The doubles isn't until the afternoon so it give us plenty of time to assess it," British captain Leon Smith said of Murray's back injury.
The Wimbledon champion admitted he was not feeling 100 per cent fit.
"My back is a little bit sore," he said.
"The change of surface is difficult, but after a couple more matches I'll have some time to rest, so let's just get the win this weekend."
Murray also added that he expected Coric to be a decent player in the future.
"The first five or six games were tough.
"He was solid, he fought for every point. When he gets physically stronger, he's going to be a very tough player. The future is obviously very bright for him."

 

[Smallville22]

Berdych, Stepanek sweep opening day matches for champions

Tomas Berdych put the Czech Republic 2-0 up in their Davis Cup semi-final with Argentina in Prague on Friday, moving the defending champions one win away from their third final in five years.
The world number five overcame a touch challenge from Leonardo Mayer, winning 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-4 at the O2 Arena.
Earlier, U.S. Open doubles champion Radek Stepanek cruised to a 7-6(3) 6-3 6-2 win over Juan Monaco, Argentina's top player in the absence of world number seven Juan Martin Del Potro.
Mayer, the lowest ranked on both teams at 93 in the world and making his first Davis Cup appearance since 2010, matched Berdych's power game early on and levelled the match at one set apiece.
But after the 26-year-old Argentine scored the first point of the third set, Berdych reeled off the next three games, breaking Mayer in the second with a backhand and sending down a pair of aces in the third to put him in a comfortable position.
The Czech number one fended off a late challenge from the Argentine and closed out the match when Mayer sent a forehand wide.
"I was kind of fighting with myself with the rhythm of a bit faster court from the beginning in those first two sets," Berdych told reporters.
"Then I just got the rhythm back and started to serve on the standard that I'm used to and getting some easy points, and that was actually the key to the game...
"We have a 2-0 lead after Friday and that is what we wanted or maybe better. The most important thing is now to get ready for tomorrow," he added in a courtside interview.
Berdych and Stepanek will likely team up for Saturday's doubles, hoping to finish the job and secure a spot in the final where they will face either Serbia or Canada.
The pair helped the Czechs lift the Cup in 2012 for the first time since Czechoslovakia won in 1980.
They played in every live rubber in that title campaign, but are featuring together in the Davis Cup for the first time in 2013.
Argentina were runners-up in 2011 but lost to the Czechs at home in the semi-finals last year. They have yet to win the Davis Cup despite four final appearances.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic puts Serbia ahead before Canada hit back

Serbia and Canada were level at 1-1 in their Davis Cup semi-final on Friday after Milos Raonic beat Janko Tipsarevic to redress the balance following Novak Djokovic's straight-sets win over Vasek Pospisil.
Thriving in a partisan atmosphere similar to the one that carried Serbia to a 3-2 victory over France in the 2010 final, Djokovic crushed Pospisil 6-2 6-0 6-4 before the towering Raonic hit 34 aces to outgun Tipsarevic 5-7 6-3 3-6 6-3 10-8.
"It's always great to win a Davis Cup match especially in front of a home crowd because you represent your country and I can say that it's been a fantastic performance for me given that I only got here 48 hours ago," Djokovic told a news conference.
"There is a possibility I might play in the doubles tomorrow but team captain Bogdan Obradovic will have the final say. Either way this win will have boosted my confidence and the overall team spirit."
The 22-year-old Raonic appeared set for a quick stroll after blasting 11 winners to race into a 3-0 lead in the opening set but then started to misfire as the home favourite regained his composure.
Roared on by 10,000 passionate fans, Tipsarevic rallied to take the set and although his opponent recovered to claim the second, the Serb wore down his opponent in the third with a barrage of stinging baseline shots on the indoor red clay.
The heavily-tattooed Tipsarevic had the crowd on its feet with a delightful drop volley in the closing stages of the third set and sealed it with a rare ace as an ancient Serb battlesong blared out between games to create an electrifying atmosphere.
Tipsarevic, 29, lost his grip on the match in the fourth set when he directed an easy smash at Raonic who broke serve and then held his own, unleashing three aces in a row to level.
With the pair trading shots like a pair of heavyweight boxers, games went with serve in the fifth set until Montenegrin-born Raonic, who saved a match point in the 10th game, produced a series of aces and service winners.
Earlier, Djokovic looked a little weary in the opening three games after a long-haul flight from New York following his U.S. Open final defeat by Rafael Nadal but it was one-way traffic once he found his feet against Pospisil.
Having trailed 2-1, a fired-up world number one claimed 13 games in a row.
Djokovic won an impressive 12 out of 14 points at the net and celebrated many of his winners with a clenched fist while letting out a trademark primal scream or two.
A small but vociferous band of visiting fans, waving large Canadian flags, cheered every winning shot Pospisil mustered but Djokovic wrapped up victory when his opponent slammed a forehand into the net.
Asked what kind of challenge he expected against Raonic in Sunday's opening reverse singles, Djokovic said: "A tough one because he has the potential to storm into the top five (of the world rankings) very soon.
"He has a big serve and one of the strongest pair of calf muscles I have ever seen."
The winners will play holders Czech Republic or Argentina in the November 15-17 final.

 

[Smallville22]

Murray and Fleming triumph in four sets, GB lead 2-1

Great Britain’s Andy Murray and Colin Fleming secured a 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-1 victory over Croatian pair Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic to regain the advantage in their Davis Cup tie.
The result puts Britain 2-1 ahead and means they need just one point from Sunday’s single rubbers to win the tie.
The tone of the match was set in the opening games as Murray raced through the first on serve before the visitors took advantage of early Pavic nerves to break for a 2-0 lead.
Murray and Fleming were rarely tested as they raced to a two-set lead but the Croatian pairing did offer resistance in the third, breaking twice late on and saving match point before clinching a tie-break 8-6.
But it only delayed the end result as Britain quickly established themselves in the fourth set which they took comfortably 6-1.

 

[Smallville22]

Berdych and Stepanek send Czechs into final

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek put defending champions Czech Republic into the Davis Cup final by beating Argentina's Carlos Berlocq and Horacio Zeballos in the doubles on Saturday.
World number five Berdych and U.S. Open doubles champion Stepanek defeated the Argentines 6-3 6-4 6-2, giving the Czechs an unassailable 3-0 lead in their semi-final and a place in their third final in five years.
They will face either Canada or Serbia on November 15-17.
The Czechs' all-time best doubles pairing with a 13-1 record were playing together for the first time this season and, after winning their singles matches on Friday, looked more at ease than the Argentines with the faster play on the hard court at Prague's O2 Arena.
The Czech Republic also defeated Argentina in Buenos Aires in last year's semi-finals on their way to lifting the Cup for the first time since Czechoslovakia won it in 1980.

 

[Smallville22]

Spain doubles victory secures Davis Cup World Group berth

Spain secured their place in the Davis Cup's elite World Group when Rafa Nadal teamed up with Marc Lopez to beat Sergiy Stakhovsky and Denis Molchanov of Ukraine 6-2 6-7 6-3 6-4 in their playoff on Saturday.
Victory for the Spanish pair on the red clay at the Magic Box arena gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five tie following Friday's singles wins for Nadal and Fernando Verdasco.
Ukraine, whose highest-ranked player is number 40 Alexandr Dolgopolov, were clear underdogs against a team featuring world number two Nadal, who thrashed Stakhovsky on Friday four days after winning a second U.S. Open crown in New York.
Stakhovsky and Molchanov battled back impressively to take the second set on Saturday but the latter appeared to be suffering from a left thigh problem from the third set onwards and Nadal and Lopez took full advantage.
They grabbed the crucial break in the seventh game of the fourth set on the Molchanov serve and went on to clinch victory on their first matchpoint when a Stakhovsky service return drifted wide from Nadal's delivery.
"We had the match under control but at the start of the second set I had a bit of a slump," Nadal said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Teledeporte.
"But we got the breaks in the third and fourth sets at the right moment and were able to finish the match off," added the 27-year-old.
"We are still in the World Group and I think that a country with so many players in the top 100 deserves it."
Nadal has shown little sign of fatigue on his return to Davis Cup action after beating top-ranked Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows to claim his 13th grand slam singles crown.
The Mallorcan, who had only two days to make the switch from hard court to clay, has not played in the competition since helping Spain to victory against Argentina in the 2011 final in Seville, their third triumph in four years and fifth overall.
Spain were in the playoffs after falling to Milos Raonic's Canada in the first round in Vancouver in February when Nadal, who had just returned from a seven-month injury layoff, did not feature.
They last slipped out of the World Group when they lost away to Mexico in September 1995 before returning to the top tier a year later when a team featuring current captain Alex Corretja beat Denmark in Tarragona.
Corretja, a former world number two, praised his team and particularly Nadal's "incredible effort" and said he was hoping to continue in the job for a third year in 2014.
"It's clear that I would be very excited to continue... but I am not the one to decide," he told Teledeporte.
"I think that given Spain's status in the tennis world and in sport in general it would not be right if we were not in the World Group and hopefully we will have a good year next year."
Verdasco and Tommy Robredo would likely line up in Sunday's dead singles rubbers, Corretja said.

 

[Smallville22]

Canada win marathon doubles to edge ahead against Serbia

Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil subdued Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-7(6) 6-4 3-6 7-6 (5) 10-8 in a rip-roaring doubles on Saturday to give Canada a 2-1 lead against 2010 winners Serbia in their Davis Cup semi-final.
Games went with serve in the final set until the tiring Zimonjic sliced a backhand into the net on his serve and Pospisil held in the final game of the strength-sapping contest.
Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic takes on 11th-ranked Milos Raonic in Sunday's opening reverse singles in the first meeting between the two players before Janko Tipsarevic plays Pospisil in the tie's final rubber.
Zimonjic and Bozoljac saved three set points to nose ahead in front of 8,000 vociferous fans in Belgrade's Kombank Arena, including several hundred flag-waving Canadian supporters.
Nestor, who won one French Open and two Wimbledon titles with Zimonjic before they split in 2010, engineered a break of his former partner's serve in the second set which put Canada on level terms.
A delicious backhand down the middle from Bozoljac broke Nestor's serve in the sixth game of the third set, allowing Serbia to regain control of the match before Pospisil redressed the balance when he sealed the fourth set tie-break with an ace.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic hauls Serbia level against Canada

Serbia drew level with Canada 2-2 in the Davis Cup semi-final after world number one Novak Djokovic beat 11th-ranked Milos Raonic 7-6(1) 6-2 6-2 in Sunday's opening singles.
Home favourite Janko Tipsarevic takes on Canada's Vasek Pospisil in the tie's final rubber for a berth in the November 15-17 final, where the winners will meet holders Czech Republic.
Djokovic handed the 22-year-old Raonic a claycourt lesson in their first meeting, looking sharp and eager to erase the memory of Monday's U.S. Open final defeat by Rafael Nadal.
Thriving in the same kind of fervent home support which helped Serbia win the 2010 title when they beat France 3-2 in an epic final at the same venue, Djokovic outclassed his hard-hitting rival after a nervy start.
The players traded breaks in the opening set before Djokovic, who dominated the rallies while Raonic used the slick red clay to good effect on his first serve, raced through the tiebreak to delight the bulk of 15,000 noisy fans in the arena.
The electrifying atmosphere reached fever pitch when Djokovic saved a triple break point to take a 3-1 lead in the second set, pumping his fists in delight as he took the match by the scruff of the neck.
Having tamed Raonic's serve, the 26-year-old Serb broke again to lead 5-2 and then wrapped up the second set with a searing crosscourt forehand.
Although Raonic was backed by several hundred colourful Canadian fans, he succumbed meekly in the third set as a galvanised Djokovic broke serve straight away and raced through the final act to seal the match in two hours and eight minutes.
Canada are looking to reach the final for the first time, having knocked five-times champions Spain out en route to their first semi-final in 100 years.

 

[Smallville22]

Murray takes Britain back into World Group

Great Britain won promotion back to the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2008 as Andy Murray gave them an unassailable 3-1 lead with a 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory over Croatia’s Ivan Dodig.
The Wimbledon champion, who beat 16-year-old Borna Coric on Friday and then teamed up with Colin Fleming to win Saturday's doubles, was far too strong for a weary Dodig who hung on grimly at the end, saving two match points before succumbing.
The Scot’s contribution was vital as Britain secured victory over a Croatia team weakened considerably by the absence of Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic in Umag.
Dan Evans then beat Mate Pavic 6-4 7-6(4) in the final rubber as Britain secured a 4-1 triumph.
Britain now rejoin the elite of men’s tennis in the World Group, the current final of which will be contested by Czech Republic and Canada or Serbia.
"I thought it was a pretty good match from my side, I gave him very few opportunities," Murray told Eurosport. "I'm very happy with the way I played today.
"Davis Cup is different. The atmosphere was pretty hostile at the end there. But that's what's special about it. It's character building, you’re playing for your team and your country.
"Now we return [to the World Group], I'm looking forward to it. You get to play against some of the biggest countries, top teams, top players. It's exciting, I'm pleased for all the guys. I'll try and celebrate tonight with all the team."
Murray held his nerve despite playing in front of a partisan crowd who grew ever more vocal as the match wore on.
Team captain Leon Smith said: "It's amazing, it was an incredible performance. My voice has gone from all the shouting. The crowd was absolutely brilliant and from start to finish Andy was exceptional.
"It's been a long journey and a real team effort from everyone, all the back room staff. We're delighted, really delighted. Team spirit has got us back. It makes the difference, everyone gets behind each other after years of hard work."
Spain, inspired by the return of Rafael Nadal, needed only two days to crush Ukraine 3-0 to retain their place in the World Group, having been required to face a play-off after losing in the first round to Canada.
Switzerland and the Netherlands beat Ecuador and Austria respectively in their play-offs.
Later on Sunday in the semi-finals, 2010 champions Serbia must try to overturn a 2-1 deficit at home to Canada.
The winners will face the Czech Republic who cruised past Argentina in Prague with a day to spare.

 

[Smallville22]

Erakovic and Safarova advance to Quebec final

Marina Erakovic and Lucie Safarova won semi-final matches on Saturday to advance to the singles final of the Bell Challenge in Quebec City.
Croatian-born New Zealander Erakovic beat American Christina McHale 6-4 6-3, before Czech Safarova recovered from a slow start to edge Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 3-6 6-3 6-2.
"Today was pretty tough," Erakovic told reporters. "It was very see-saw in the first set and I managed to keep clawing back."
Sixth-seed Erakovic had the edge on unseeded McHale in most statistical categories on the indoor carpet surface, winning 52 percent of her service points and 53 percent of her return points.
Erakovic converted six of 14 break points, while McHale capitalized on four of six break opportunities as both players had trouble holding serve.
Erakovic fell behind a break three times in the first set before winning eight consecutive games to take command.
"I managed to take that set out and I felt I needed to keep lifting my game in the second set and I think I did really well," Erakovic said. "I was hitting some really big forehands and moving better."
"She (McHale) started to play better and made it a lot more difficult but I managed to serve it out which was great."
Third seed Safarova had to work hard to outlast home favorite Bouchard, the fifth seed.
Safarova's serve proved the difference as she won 34 of 40 points when she put her first serve into play, while Bouchard won 29 of 41 first serves.
In Sunday's final, 25-year-old Erakovic, whose world ranking is 68, will be seeking her second WTA career title.
World number 48 Safarova has four career titles.
They have clashed just once previously, with Safarova winning 9-7 in the third set at the 2009 Australian Open.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic, Tipsarevic put Serbia into Davis Cup final

Novak Djokovic began the fightback and Janko Tipsarevic completed the job as Serbia overturned a 2-1 deficit against Canada in the Davis Cup semi-final on Sunday.
In scenes reminiscent of their 2010 triumph in the same arena, world number one Djokovic beat big-serving Milos Raonic 7-6(1) 6-2 6-2 before Tipsarevic kept his nerve to beat Vasek Pospisil 7-6(3) 6-2 7-6(6) in the deciding singles.
Serbia's 3-2 win means they can now look forward to a home final against the Czech Republic but it was heartbreak for Canada who were looking to reach the final for the first time.
Djokovic was ruthless as he brushed aside 11th-ranked Raonic in front of a partisan 15,000 home crowd but Tipsarevic had some anxious moments against Pospisil who needed medical treatment for a sore elbow in the opening set.
Thriving in the same kind of fervent home support which helped Serbia win the title for the first time against France three years ago, Djokovic was a class apart on the indoor clay.
"Winning the 2010 trophy was an inspiration to all of us to excel the following season on the ATP Tour and that's why it has a very special place in my heart," an emotional Djokovic told a news conference ahead of Tipsarevic's calsh with Pospisil.
"I've won a number of grand slams but nothing compares to sharing the joy of victory with your team mates, who are there for you and cheer on every shot you take on the court."
"I think I played two outstanding matches given that I had to make a rapid change of time zones and surfaces (after the U.S Open final defeat to Rafael Nadal in New York on Monday).
"The home crowd support carried me to victory."
Djokovic and Raonic traded breaks in the opening set before Djokovic, who dominated the rallies while Raonic used the slick red clay to good effect on his first serve, raced through the tiebreak and delighted the home fans in the Kombank Arena.
The electrifying atmosphere reached fever pitch when Djokovic saved a triple break point to take a 3-1 lead in the second set, pumping his fists in delight as he took the match by the scruff of the neck.
Having tamed Raonic's serve, the 26-year-old Serb broke again to lead 5-2 and then wrapped up the second set with a searing crosscourt forehand.
Although Raonic was backed by several hundred colourful Canadian fans, he succumbed meekly in the third set as a galvanised Djokovic broke serve straight away and raced through the final act to seal the match in two hours and eight minutes.
That set the scene for Tipsarevic to take centre stage.
There were some jitters in the first set against Pospisil, who looked in danger of retiring after ending the fourth game grimmacing in pain.
But Tipsarevic calmed the home crowd's nerves with an emphatic tiebreak, bringing the fans to their feet.
The 29-year old Tipsarevic, ranked 23rd on the ATP Tour, raced through the second set as the effects of a gruelling five-set win in Saturday's doubles took its toll on Pospisil.
Tipsarevic took a commanding 5-2 lead in the third set but Pospisil produced one final salvo to force his way back from the brink and set up a tumultuous tiebreak.
Pospisil saved four match points from 2-6, one with a net cord, but Tipsarevic wrapped up the match in the most dramatic fashion, sending a winner past Pospisil who had tumbled over.
"This is one of the sweetest wins of my career and I hereby thank my team mates for their fantastic support," a delighted Tipsarevic said in a courtside interview after being mobbed by the rest of Serbia's squad.
"See you right here in November in the final, in another epic encounter against the Czechs," he added.
Serbia beat the Czech Republic 3-2 in the 2010 semi-final in Belgrade before losing the 2012 quarter-finals 4-1 away.

 

[Smallville22]

Djokovic, Nadal, Murray shine on national duty

Novak Djokovic produced a masterful performance on Sunday to help Serbia roar back to defeat Canada 3-2 and set up a Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic.
On a weekend in which the sport's biggest names, with the exception of Roger Federer, put their individual schedules to one side and donned national colours instead, Djokovic helped ensure Serbia stayed on course to repeat their 2010 triumph.
Rafael Nadal, fresh from winning his 13th grand slam title at the U.S. Open, helped Spain crush Ukraine to retain their place in the World Group while world number three Andy Murray steered Britain back amnost the elite with three points in his side's playoff victory over a weakened Croatia.
In a sport where individual prizes dominate the calendar the Davis Cup is often regarded as a sideshow but try telling that to the 15,000 fans who produced a deafening roar in Belgrade.
Serbia trailed 2-1 going into Sunday's two singles rubbers before Djokovic levelled the tie with a 7-6(1) 6-2 6-2 win over Milos Raonic before Janko Tipsarevic beat Vasek Pospisil in straight sets to spark wild celebrations.
Canada had dreamed of a first Davis Cup final appearance when Daniel Nestor and Pospisil won a doubles cliffhnager on Saturday but their hoeps were ultimately crushed.
"This is one of the sweetest wins of my career and I hereby wish to thank my team mates for their support. See you right here in the final against the Czechs," Tipsarevic said.
"I think it will be a pretty open match against the Czech Republic. They have Tomas Berdych of course and have a strong doubles team. It's going to be very tough and I expect a very dramatic final."
There was nothing dramatic about the Czech's demolition of an Argentina side missing the muscle of Juan Martin del Potro.
Berdych and Radek Stepanek had put the 2012 winners 2-0 ahead on Friday and then teamed up to win the Saturday doubles.
"It's definitely very exciting; Davis Cup means a lot, it's special for us, for the whole country," said Stepanek.
"We loved so much delivering the trophy last year - it never gets old and we'd like to keep that trophy because it's beautiful."
Like Murray, Nadal was playing in the Davis Cup for the first time in two years. Showing no sign of fatigue after his U.S. Open exploits he was unstoppable, winning his singles against Sergiy Stakhovsky for the loss of four games and then partnering Marc Lopez to doubles victory.
Murray beat Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-2 6-4 to give Britain a 3-1 lead and put them in next week's draw for the World Group.
"I'm looking forward to playing against some of the biggest countries in the world it will be exciting and hopefully I can be part of it," Wimbledon champion Murray told Eurosport.
Switzerland and the Netherlands beat Ecuador and Austria respectively in their playoffs while Germany beat Brazil and Australia ended Poland's hopes of a first World Group appearance with a 4-1 victory in Warsaw.
Belgium and Japan were the weekend's other playoff winners.

 

[Smallville22]

Czech Republic are top seeds for 2014 Davis Cup

Czech Republic will be the top seeds when the draw for the 2014 Davis Cup is made this week, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Monday.
Winners last year, the Czechs have again reached the final and will play Serbia in Belgrade next month.
Serbia's run to the final earns them the second seeding, followed by Spain and Argentina.
France, United States, Canada and Kazakhstan make up the eight seeded nations who will be kept apart in round one.
The other eight teams in next year's World Group are Australia, Belgium, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Switzerland.
The draw takes place in London on Wednesday.

 

[Smallville22]

Cilic given nine-month ban for doping

Marin Cilic has been banned for nine months after testing positive for a banned stimulant, the International Tennis Federation have confirmed.
In a statement the ITF said Cilic had "ingested the nikethamide inadvertently as a result of taking Coramine glucose tablets, and did not intend to enhance his performance in doing so".
The suspension has been backdated to May 1, allowing Cilic to return to the circuit on January 31 next year.
The ITF statement said Cilic had tested positive at the BMW Open in Munich this year. It said Cilic had asserted that he had taken the stimulant by accident as a result of taking the glucose tablets that had been purchased on his behalf from a pharmacy.
24-year-old Cilic has not played since withdrawing from his second-round match at Wimbledon in June. He defeated then world number two Andy Murray in the fourth round of the 2009 US Open and reached the semi-finals of the 2010 Australian Open, where he lost to the Briton.
Cilic broke into the top 10 in February 2010 and reached a career-high of ninth. Cilic, who is currently ranked 24th, spent 11 successive weeks in the top 10.

 

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Safarova defeats Erakovic for fifth career title

Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic won her fifth WTA title when she edged New Zealand's Marina Erakovic 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Bell Challenge in Quebec City on Sunday.
Third seed Safarova's serve proved a decisive weapon as the 26-year-old left-hander ended a five-year victory drought and improved her record in WTA finals to 5-7.
"I hope it's not another five years until the next (title)," said Safarova, who was broken early in the first set but held serve the rest of the way.
Sixth seed Erakovic had her chances but the Croatian-born New Zealander squandered five break points.
Safarova broke Erakovic four times on the indoor carpet.
"It was just about a few points today, but I was more consistent with my game and more aggressive, and I think that's why I won," said Safarova, who entered the event ranked 48th in the world.
"My strategy was to try to go to her backhand side and just try to use my lefty shots as well as I could. I was a little bit nervous at the end because it was so long since my last WTA title.
"I really wanted to win the title today - so it's great I was able to do that."
Safarova not only landed more of her first serves in play than Erakovic, but also had a higher winning percentage when she did.
"I really tried hard to get things right, but Lucie made it very difficult for me today," Erakovic told reporters.
"She played solid and didn't let up her lead at all. And I was struggling to find my rhythm with her lefty serve and in the rallies - so I just have to take my hat off to her and move on now."
Erakovic was seeking her second WTA victory.

 

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Cilic to appeal doping ban

Former world number nine Marin Cilic has said he will be appealing a nine-month doping ban imposed on him after he tested positive for the banned stimulant nikethamide.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday they had imposed the ban on the 24-year-old despite accepting his explanation that he had ingested the substance in glucose tablets and not intended to enhance his performance.
"I will be appealing that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport very shortly," Cilic said in statement through his country's tennis association.
"I wish to emphasize that I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any banned substance in my life and that I am opposed to any use of performance-enhancing substances in sport."
The suspension has been backdated to May 1 to allow Cilic to return to the ATP circuit on Jan. 31 next year.
The ITF said Cilic had tested positive at the BMW Open in Munich in April this year.
"Unbeknownst to me, the glucose tablets contained a substance that is banned in competition although it is allowed out of competition," Cilic added.
Cilic has not played since withdrawing from his second-round match at Wimbledon in June but retains a ranking of 24th in the world.
The tall righthander reached a career-high ranking of ninth in the world in February 2010, spending 11 successive weeks in the top 10.

 

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Watson loses to tennis world's oldest player

Heather Watson lost in three sets in the first round of the Korea Open to Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm - a women double her age.
Date, 42, proved age is no substitute for experience as she hit back from dropping the first set 6-3 to complete a 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over Watson, who at 21 wasn't born when Date-Krumm began her career back in 1988.
Date-Krumm became the second-oldest player in the Open era to win a tournament after Billie Jean KIng when she won this tournament in 2009.
She is the oldest player in the world's top 100 having amassed around $3.3 million and eight titles from her 25 years on tour.