Djokovic Makes Perfect Return For Serbia; France Leads Great Britain

07.04.2017 23:43

SERBIA 2, SPAIN 0

Aleksandar Nikolic Arena, Belgrade, Serbia (Indoor Hard)

Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki pushed Serbia to a 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup quarter-finals against Spain on Friday. Djokovic improved to 3-0 in his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry against Albert Ramos-Vinolas with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win. The World No. 2 struck 10 aces and was nearly perfect on serve.

The 29-year-old Djokovic erased the only break point he faced and won 88 per cent of his service points (70/80), including 93 per cent of his second-serve points (25/27). “I was especially happy with my serve. It was working very well today,” Djokovic said. “All in all, I’m very pleased. I'm very glad to play for my country and get the opening point.”

The match was Djokovic's first tour-level action since he fell to Nick Kyrgios in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open last month. Djokovic had to withdraw from the Miami Open presented by Itau last month because of a right elbow injury.

Troicki finished off the day with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory against Pablo Carreno Busta. Troicki will partner with Nenad Zimonjic on Saturday in doubles against Spaniards Marc Lopez and Jaume Munar.

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FRANCE 2, GREAT BRITAIN 0

Kindarena, Rouen, France (Indoor Clay)

Frenchmen Lucas Pouille and Jeremy Chardy won in straight sets on Friday to give France a 2-0 lead against Great Britain. Pouille broke Brit Kyle Edmund four times and hit 30 winners to win 7-5, 7-6(6), 6-3 in two hours and 11 minutes. Pouille had to retire down 3-6, 1-3 during their previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting earlier this year in Brisbane.

“I think I took the opportunities in the important moments. I was aggressive and solid at the same time. I came back from 2/5 down in the second-set tie-break,” Pouille said.

Chardy dominated Brit Daniel Evans, dismissing the 26 year old 6-2, 6-3, 6-3. Great Britain will look to Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray to avoid elimination on Saturday in doubles against Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut.