By Alberto Amalfi | Friday, April 7, 2017
Novak Djokovic hit 10 aces and did not drop serve defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in the Davis Cup quarterfinal opener.
Photo credit: Davis Cup
Davis Cup on home soil inspires a spirited bounce in Novak Djokovic.
An energized Djokovic got his kicks in street soccer before the match.
More: Aussies In Command
Then world No. 2 went from the pitch to an offensive patch on court.
Djokovic celebrated his hometown return defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in the opening match of Serbia's Davis Cup quarterfinal vs. Spain in Belgrade.
Viktor Troicki followed overpowering Pablo Carreno Busta, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, staking Serbia to a 2-0 lead over Spain.
Troicki hit 10 aces and denied all three break points he faced posting his 18th career Davis Cup singles win.
Serbia can clinch its spot in the September semifinals if it wins Saturday's doubles point.
Troicki and player-captain Nenad Zimonjic are scheduled to play Marc Lopez and Jaume Munar in doubles though Spanish captain Conchita Martinez and Zimonjic can make substitutions.
It was Djokovic’s first match since losing to Nick Kyrgios in the Indian Wells round of 16 last month.
An elbow injury denied Djokovic a shot to defend his Miami title.
The Serbian No. 1 showed a loose arm at the start in his return.
Djokovic served 66 percent, smacked 10 aces and faced only one break point the one hour, 55-minute victory.
The left-handed Spaniard’s hopping topspin forehand is his best weapon. But Djokovic beat Ramos-Vinolas to the punch in forehand exchanges hitting 18 winners off that wing—11 more than his opponent.
The Roland Garros champion carved out the first break for a 4-2 lead before serving out the set.
Djokovic takes the ball earlier than Ramos-Vinolas and changed direction effectively breaking in the sixth game of the second set. Building a 3-1 third-set lead, Djokovic never looked back raising his Davis Cup record to 31-7.
Viktor Troicki plays Pablo Carreno Busta in today’s second singles.
The winner of this tie will play either France or Great Britain in the September 15-17th Davis Cup semifinals.