Russians top Serbians, will face Canada at Davis Cup

Try telling Viktor Troicki and his Serbian teammates the revamped Davis Cup Finals don’t matter.

The 33-year-old was inconsolable on Friday after poking a routine volley out on Serbia’s third match point in the deciding doubles rubber of their quarter-final clash with Russia.

He and Novak Djokovic had three match points in the final-set tiebreak before Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov claimed a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8) victory at La Caja Magica to give the Russians a 2-1 win and set up a semifinal against Canada.

Troicki became a national hero in 2010 when he won the final point against France’s Michael Llodra to clinch the Davis Cup for Serbia in Belgrade, sparking unforgettable scenes in which the team, including Djokovic, shaved their heads on court before partying into the small hours.

This time there was just gut-wrenching despair as Serbia’s hopes slipped away in a cruel fashion.

In an emotional news conference, Troicki could barely raise his chin off his chest.

“I probably feel the worst ever. I never experienced such a moment in my career,” he said. “I let my team down and I apologize to them. We were up in the tiebreak. We had chances to finish it. We didn’t do it. I messed up in the crucial moments.

“I don’t know. God gave me the chance once to be the hero, to win the Davis Cup in the deciding rubber. Now he took it away. I’m really disappointed with myself.”

Djokovic claimed a 15th successive Davis Cup singles win when he beat Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 to level the tie after Rublev had thrashed Filip Krajinovic 6-1, 6-2 on centre court.

The Davis Cup Finals marked the end of 35-year-old Janko Tipsarevic’s career and captain Nenad Zimonjic described it as the end of the golden generation.