Spain's Novak Djokovic lost 2-6, 6-2, 5-7 to Jannik Sinner, then lost the men's doubles match as Serbia fell 1-2 to Italy in the Davis Cup semi-finals.
Having beaten Sinner in the ATP Finals, Djokovic came very close to a similar result in the Davis Cup singles match. With the score at 5-4 in the third set for Nole, he led 40-0 in the return game and had three match-points but missed them all. In the very next game, Djokovic lost the decisive service game, leading to a 5-7 defeat.
Djokovic was disappointed after losing a crucial point in the third set against Sinner in Malaga, Spain on November 25. Photo: DC
The defeat was somewhat bitter as Djokovic played better than his junior in the last two sets, holding his serve firmly and only making a mistake in the decisive game. He failed to save the only break-point in the final set, while Sinner saved all five. From being down 4-5, 0-40, Sinner won 13 out of 16 points to end the match.
Djokovic's defeat to Sinner meant Serbia could not settle the semi-final early. Earlier, Djokovic's compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. The 1-1 draw after two singles matches forced the two teams into the deciding doubles match.
Djokovic paired with Kecmanovic, while Sinner continued to play with Lorenzo Sonego. After losing the first set 3-6, the Serbian pair had a chance to take the lead in the second set when they led 40-0 in the return game at 3-3. But Djokovic and Kecmanovic missed a series of break points, then lost the next service game and lost the final 3-6, 4-6.
Djokovic's two losses eliminated Serbia, while Italy reached the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1998. The Italian team only won the prestigious team tournament once, in 1976. In today's final, November 26, Italy will face Australia - last year's runner-up.
Vy Anh
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