2023-09-15 18:19:04
The world number one achieved an easy victory 6-3, 6-4, giving his country a 2-0 lead in Valencia following Laslo Dire earlier defeated Albert Ramos-Vinola.
This was Djokovic’s first appearance in the team competition since Serbia’s semi-final loss to Croatia in 2021.
The 36-year-old won his 24th Grand Slam title last weekend following winning in straight sets over Russian Daniil Medvedev in the Flushing Meadows final.
On the other hand, Andy Murray gave Britain its first point in the competition once morest Switzerland on Friday, before revealing that he had missed his grandmother’s funeral to play the match.
“Today is a difficult day for me, it is my grandmother’s funeral today,” Murray said following his epic victory over Leandro Reddy 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-4 at Manchester Arena.
He added, “I’m sorry to my family because I wasn’t able to be there, but grandma, this win is for you,” before returning to his seat, where he sat crying, covering his face with a towel.
The 36-year-old had lost only three of his previous 35 singles matches in the tournament, but it took every ounce of skill and competitiveness to fight his way past the 21-year-old Reddy, who was making his Davis Cup debut.
© 2023 AFP
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