37th WEEK – Davis Cup (SF)

Belgrade (indoor-hard): Serbia – Argentina 2:3

As I expected on Monday, a 3-day rest couldn’t be long enough for Djokovic to recover after an extremely difficult finish of the US Open. It’s tough to blame him or the team captain Bogdan Obradovic for the decision to skip the Friday rubber against Nalbandian. A decisive 4th rubber against Del Potro confirmed it, after a hard 1st set, Djokovic fell on the floor in pain (back suffering) and couldn’t continue the match. “I feel very disappointed to end the tie in this way, I tried although I was only 60 percent fit and I got into the match knowing there was a risk of aggravating the injury which I first felt at the U.S. Open,” said Djokovic after the 90-minute match, it’s his third defeat of the season, the second one after a retirement. “I feel sorry for Djokovic because he has had an incredible season and I hope he recovers quickly,” admitted Del Potro notching first win over the Serb in five attempts, “He must have felt a little tired after returning from New York, he made a very good challenge today but I was very confident with my serve and forehand and delighted that we have gone into the final”. Djokovic needs four weeks of rest according to the doctors, who diagnosed a rib muscle tear. It means he will skip “Masters” in Shanghai.

Viktor Troicki – David Nalbandian 4-6, 6-4, 2-6, 3-6
Janko Tipsarevic – Juan Martin del Potro 5-7, 3-6, 4-6
Viktor Troicki/Nenad Zimonjic – Juan Ignacio Chela/Juan Monaco  7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2
Novak Djokovic – Juan Martin del Potro 6-7(5), 0-3 ret.
Janko Tipsarevic – Juan Monaco 6-2 ret.

Cordoba (clay): Spain – France 4:1

France was weakened by the lack of injured Gael Monfils, but it doesn’t really matter when you play against Spain as a host on clay with a fit Rafael Nadal included to the team as the main weapon. The No. 2 in the world demolished both, Gasquet (2:09 h) and Tsonga (2:17 h), dropping just 10 games in these matches! Spain will play for the 5th time in the Davis Cup final in the last eight years. “The goal at one point (against Nadal) isn’t to win the match but to win one game, then two games and then a set,” said the French captain Guy Forget, “He has the capacity to play the right shot each time while always being able to vary. You’re always on the wire’s edge with him.” Tsonga added: “Simply put, Rafa was just too good this weekend. He’s the best player ever on clay court“. Three years ago in the Davis Cup final Spain overcame Argentina 3-1 in Mar del Plata, although Rafael Nadal did not play due to injury. Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez worked then as  national heroes.

Rafael Nadal – Richard Gasquet  6-3, 6-0, 6-1
David Ferrer – Gilles Simon 6-1, 6-4, 6-1
Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco – Michael Llodra/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga  1-6, 2-6, 0-6
Rafael Nadal – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4
Fernando Verdasco – Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-1