CROATIA’S world class doubles pairing has cemented the nation’s spot in the 2021 Davis Cup Finals after defeating Serbia in the semi-final. The result proved the importance of a specialist doubles pairing at the event, taking out the deciding tie despite the opposition having world number one singles player Novak Djokovic. Despite Djokovic doing all he could – winning his singles and stepping up for the doubles – Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic proved too strong.

The first match of the day started with the in-form Borna Gojo punching above his weight yet again, coming from behind to take down opponent Dusan Lajovic in three sets, 4-6 6-3 6-2. Having defeated Alexei Popyrin and Lorenzo Sonego earlier in the tournament, Gojo added another scalp to his name, with the 23-year-old Gojo ranked 279th in the world. The 33rd ranked Lajovic looked good early, but Gojo came home strongly to secure victory in an hour and 57 minutes.

Gojo served five aces to one, and won 77 per cent of his first serve points compared to Lajovic’s 54 per cent. Whilst the Serbian served at a much hiher clip (75 to 62 per cent), and won a higher percentage of second serve points (67 to 45 per cent) the Croatian broke five times to three. By the end, Gojo had won 10 more points than Lajovic, proving he was deserving of victory.

Needing to win to force a doubles decider, Djokovic did as he has always done, and just got the job done. Against the big-serving Marin Cilic, Djokovic won 6-4 6-2 in an hour and 39 minutes to level the overall tie. Whilst Cilic served two more aces (6-4), Djokovic was more consistent on serve, with a first serve percentage of 67 to 56. He also capitalised off that dominance with a 75 to 62 per cent success rate, as well as a 60 to 45 per cent success rate off his second serve. He also broke three times from eight chances and saved all of his Cilic’s eight break point opportunities.

The world’s best doubles combination entered the court as favourites up against Djokovic and a surprise teammate in Filip Krajinovic, who replaced Nikola Cacic. Despite Djokovic and Krajinovic’s best efforts in the first set to push Mektic and Pavic into 12 games, they were blown away in the last as the Croatian duo won 7-5 6-1 in 71 minutes to send their nation into the final. The Serbian pairing produced seven aces to three and only two double faults to five, but the Croatians won 82 and 53 per cent of their first and second serve points off a 67 per cent clip. By comparison, Serbia won 70 and 32 per cent off a 68 per cent clip. Mektic and Pavic also broke three times from eight chances, and saved the only break point opportunity they faced.

Croatia now has a day off to rest, and await the winner of tomorrow’s Russia and Germany semi-final clash.

RESULTS:

Borna Gojo (CRO) defeated Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 4-6 6-3 6-2
Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-4 6-2
N. Mektic/M. Pavic (CRO) defeated N. Djokovic/F. Krajinovic (SRB) 7-5 6-1