Serbia draw level with Czechs as Djokovic beats Berdych

[~IronMan~]

Sun, Sep 19 09:42 PM

Enlarge Photo Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates victory over the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych after their Davis Cup... Novak Djokovic came back from a set down to beat Tomas Berdych and pull Serbia level with the Czech Republic at 2-2 in their Davis Cup world group semi-final on Sunday.

Serbian Janko Tipsarevic was facing Radek Stepanek in the tie's decisive rubber after Djokovic shook of a knee injury midway through the second set to win 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4.

The world number two made a sluggish start against Wimbledon runner-up Berdych, who took the opening set with neat volleys at the net and a barrage of forehand winners.

Djokovic, who pulled out of the opening singles on Friday suffering from gastroenteritis and fatigue after flying in from New York where he lost the rain-delayed U.S. Open final to Rafael Nadal on Monday, turned the tide in the second set.

He pinned his rival to the baseline with stinging cross-court shots after giving the home fans at the Belgrade Arena a scare when he dived to reach a Berdych smash.

Djokovic was back on his feet after a five-minute treatment session and then blew away Berdych with a combination of forehands down the line and cross-court backhands to win in three hours 14 minutes.

(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

(For more news visit Reuters India)





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