2010 Davis Cup Finals; Serbia picks up its first Davis Cup title
The Serbian side won their maiden Davis Cup crown on Sunday after Viktor Troicki played some great tennis to cruise past Michael Llodra of France in three sets in the final rubber in Belgrade. The score line was 6-2, 6-2, and 6-3.
The Serbian after the match while commenting on the victory said, “I am in shock, after the last shot I could not believe this happened. I think for the next few days I will still feel a little bit different. Maybe in five days I will feel the real feeling
of winning the Davis Cup. This is the most intense pressure ever in my life and to win it in front of the home crowd is the best possible way. It is unbelievable.”
Earlier, the number one Serbian, Novak Djokovic who is currently ranked number three in the South African Airways ATP list, kept his country’s hopes alive as he got the better of top ranked Frenchman Gael Monfils in three sets to tie the final at 2-2. The
final match score was 6-2, 6-2, and 6-4.
“It was an unbelievable emotion, under the circumstances with the huge pressure, I played an amazing match. Everything was working for me today,” reflected Djokovic after his win over Monfils.
The entire Serbian side shaved their heads on court right after the victory in celebration of registering their name as the thirteenth nation to lift the Davis Cup title.
Bogdan Obradovic, who is the captain of the home team also congratulated all the players in the presentation ceremony and praised their high quality of display against the nine-time former champion France in the Davis Cup finals.
Novak was quick to take charge of the match against Monfils as he immediately dominated his opponent in the baseline rallies and did not let the Frenchman bounce back throughout the opening set. The right hander broke Monfil’s serve on two occasions to earn
a lead of one set at 6-2.
After losing the first set, Monfils could not keep his nerves in control and instead of putting up a good fight once again, he proved helpless in front of world number three Djokovic in the second set which was also wrapped up by Djokovic at 6-2. The Serbian
broke serve during the sixth and eighth game to secure a comprehensive lead of two sets.
Probably, impressed by his compatriot players’ fight back in the doubles rubber a day earlier, Gael forced the battle into the third set and led by a break of serve on two occasions. However, Novak transmitted his frustration into aggression in his game
and was able to recoup the breaks on both occasions to take a lead of 5-4. During the tenth game, a costly double fault from Gaels provided Novak a total of two match points and he converted his second as Gaels netted a backhand.
Later, Viktor met the in-form Michael, who had not lost a Davis Cup rubber this season, including win over Troicki in Saturday’s doubles match. Currently ranked number thirty in the South African Airways ATP list, Viktor started the clash ideally, breaking
serve on two occasions to secure a lead of one set.
Despite of losing the first set, Michael looked confident to come back in the following as he earned an early break of serve, however, the Frenchman was exposed at the net in the next game as Viktor took no time to bounce back. The Serbian won eight straight
games with the help of his outstanding return of serve and passing shots that caused immense problems for Llodra.
Viktor put his foot down in the decisive set and immediately established a double break advantage as his opponent double faulted on break points during the first and fifth game. The professional tennis ace from France, Michael Llodra, did try to give a tough
time to Viktor, however, the Serbian did well to earn two match points during the ninth game. He converted his second opportunity with a backhand cross-court return winner to seal win in the end. The battle concluded in a time period of two hours and thirteen
minutes.
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