By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, January 4, 2020
In a rematch of the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic edged Kevin Anderson 7-6(5), 7-6(6) clinching Serbia's ATP Cup conquest of South Africa.
Photo credit: ATP Cup Facebook
Novak Djokovic continues to deliver his most dynamic tennis down under.
In a rematch of the 2018 Wimbledon final, Djokovic edged Kevin Anderson 7-6(5), 7-6(6) clinching Serbia's ATP Cup conquest of South Africa before a wildly supportive Serbian crowd at the ATP Cup in Brisbane.
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Itt was Djokovic's ninth victory in 11 meetings with Anderson.
The seven-time Australian Open champion saved a set point with Anderson up 6-5 in the second-set tie break. The towering South African netted a short forehand failing to convert the set point.
Djokovic exploited that lapse curling a crosscourt topspin forehand pass for match point and closing a gripping two-hour, 19-minute victory blocking a forehand volley into the open court.
"What a way to start the year," Djokovic said in his on-court interview. "I want to thank all the Serbian fans and Australian fans who came out. Thank you guys for hanging in there to almost 11 o'clock at night.
"You were patient. You showed passion for the sport. It's a pleasure to play in front of you."
The reigning Australian Open champion won 12 of the first 13 points played on his serve and broke in Anderson's opening service game charging out to a 4-1 lead.
Playing his first match since July 5th at Wimbledon, Anderson, who was ravaged by right elbow and knee injuries last year, begain to find his range. Anderson slashed 17 aces and saved seven of eight break points.
The 6'8" South African broke at 15 in the seventh game then staved off four break points leveling after eight games.
Sustaining the depth on his drives, Djokovic earned two mini breaks seizing a 5-3 lead in the first-set tie break. The Wimbledon champion closed his second set point to build a one-set lead.
"I started off extremely well 4-1 up and some break points and Kevin upped his game," Djokovic said. "So difficult to read his serve. He was on fire tonight. I think the quality of tennis was quite high.
"I was pleased the way I managed to kind of weather the storm. He was playing very aggressive not too many unforced errors. In this kind of match, a few points decide the match and that's what happened."
The Serbian No. 1 denied three break points holding for 4-all in the second set. The tension escalated in the tie break with Djokovic playing brilliant tennis down the stretch to close.
Earlier, Dusan Lajovic rallied from a one-set hole staking Serbia to a 1-0 lead with a 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 triumph over Lloyd Harris.
“I was putting pressure on his serve and I think he was feeling it and that was the key in the tie break,” Lajovic said. “I knew that if I stayed confident in the tie break, I'd have my chances. And after the tie break he went down physically a little bit.”
The 24-team event is being contested in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney round-robin stages through January 12th.
The six winners of each group and the top two second-place finishers advance to the Final Eight beginning on Thursday in Sydney.