SERBIA is through to the Davis Cup Finals last four after pulling off a nail-biting win over Kazakhstan in the quarter finals overnight. Led by world number one Novak Djokovic, Serbia came back from losing the first singles match, to posting back-to-back wins and advancing through the knockout tie to set up a clash with Croatia. Djokovic was once again called upon to double-up in both singles and doubles, pairing with Nikola Cacic to win against the Kazakhstan doubles combination of Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov.

Serbia has a trio of potential second singles players to choose from, and opted for world number 69 Miomir Kecmanovic to go up against veteran and world number 182 Mikhail Kukushkin. In an epic contest that lasted longer than any match thus far in the tournament, the two-tiebreak, three-set match went for three hours and 17 minutes. The two tiebreaks went 9-7 and then the deciding set went 15-13 in a mind-boggling display of shotmaking. It was more important for Kazakhstan to get the win with Serbia having the world number one up next, and that is exactly what happened. Kukushkin found a way to win by saving 11 break points, and breaking three times from seven chances, also remaining consistent with his serve. He only won two more points than Kecmanovic, but that proved to be the difference in the end.

It was fortunate that he did, as Djokovic rolled through his singles as expected, taking down the always-tricky Alexander Bublik in straight sets, 6-3 6-4. The match lasted an hour and 16 minutes with Djokovic winning a massive 91 and 62 per cent of his first and second serve points – only dropping three points off his first serve. He only served four aces to Bublik’s 12, but was able to break twice, and save both break point opportunities from his opponent, to level the overall tie.

Djokovic then jumped into the doubles with Cacic up against Golubev and Nedovyesov who were yet to lose a doubles this tournament. The Serbian pair got off to a great start, before the momentum swung back in the Kazakh duo’s direction. A deciding third set was required, with not much between them, but in the end, two third set breaks saw Djokovic and Cacic enjoy a great 6-2 2-6 6-3 win in an hour and 36 minutes. They won 76 and 62 per cent of their first and second serve points compared to Kazakhstan’s 62 and 44 per cent, and also broke four times to two to seal the win.

RESULTS:

Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) defeated Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 7-6 4-6 7-6
Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 6-3 6-4
N. Cacic/N. Djokovic (SRB) defeated A. Golubev/A. Nedovyesov 6-2 2-6 6-3