Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic have once again shown their ability as a duo to be reckoned with after guiding Croatia to the top of the Davis Cup Finals in 2021.
World number 1 Novak Djokovic has returned to two games in the Davis Cup Finals this season, but this time his strength was not strong enough to give Serbia victory.
Mektic and Pavic succeeded in overthrowing Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic 7-5, 6-1 to complete Croatia’s 2-1 victory over Serbia. With this victory, Serbia has the right to advance to the top of the Davis Cup Finals which will be held in Madrid against Russia or Germany.
READ ALSO : Alexander Zverev wins after tennis player withdraws from match in Turin
In front of Real Madrid star Luka Modric, Nikola Mektic and Pavic remained calm despite being under pressure. The Croatian duo got stronger and stronger as the match went on and after world number 1 Djokovic missed a final forehand return, the world number 1 pair raised their arms to celebrate the win.
The tennis player who has won 20 Grand Slam titles won the singles and doubles match – alongside Nicola Cacic – in the quarter-finals against Kazakhstan. Appearing in the last four of the Davis Cup Finals, the 34-year-old started the match against Croatia by claiming victory in her second singles match against former world number 3 Marin Cilic, but Croatia was too tough in doubles.
The tennis player, who has won three Grand Slam titles this season, secured all eight of the break points he faced against Cilic and hit 13 winners en route to a convincing 6-4, 6-2 in 1 hour 39 minutes.
“Playing against Cilic is always difficult. The first set ended in 1 hour, with some very tight games. Winning the first set gave me a lot of confidence for the second set. It was a tense start for both of us, because we knew how significant this match was,” said Djokovic.
In another singles match, the 279th ranked Borna Gojo made another surprise appearance when he beat Djokovic’s compatriot, Dusan Lajovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 2 hours 1 minute to give the team a 1-0 lead. Croatia.
