{"id":4847,"date":"2023-09-17T03:28:06","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T03:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/peerless-djokovic-on-cloud-nine-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-09-17T03:28:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T03:28:06","slug":"peerless-djokovic-on-cloud-nine-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/peerless-djokovic-on-cloud-nine-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Peerless Djokovic ‘on cloud nine’ | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nVALENCIA:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic wrapped up a Davis Cup<\/a> quarter-final place for Serbia on Friday, beating Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina just five days after winning the US Open title.<\/p>\n

The world number one eased to a 6-3, 6-4 success to give his country an unassailable 2-0 lead in Valencia after Laslo Djere’s earlier 6-4, 6-4 win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas.<\/p>\n

It was Djokovic’s first appearance in the team competition since Serbia<\/a>‘s semi-final loss to Croatia in 2021.<\/p>\n

The 36-year-old won a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title last weekend with a straight-sets triumph against Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.<\/p>\n

“I’m on cloud nine with everything that has happened recently on the tennis court,” Djokovic said.<\/p>\n

“Playing for Serbia, for my country, is something completely different.<\/p>\n

“It’s a huge responsibility and pressure, but it’s also a privilege and an honour.”<\/p>\n

Djokovic took the opening set against world number 25 Davidovich Fokina with a single break in the eighth game, before battling back from 4-1 down in the second set with a run of five straight games.<\/p>\n

Serbia have now secured a spot in the knock-out phase which will be played in Malaga in November, after also seeing off South Korea 3-0 on Tuesday, while Spain are out of the competition.<\/p>\n

“It can create some pressure,” said Djere on having Djokovic back in the team.<\/p>\n

“But I try not to put any pressure on myself and use it as motivation. I think I managed quite good in doing so.”<\/p>\n

Djokovic played a starring role when Serbia won their only previous Davis Cup title in 2010.<\/p>\n

Serbia wrapped up a 3-0 victory in the Group C tie as Nikola Cacic and Miomir Kecmanovic beat Davidovich Fokina and Marcel Granollers 6-4, 7-6 (15\/13).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n