Serbian, kampeon sa ATP Cup
SYDNEY (AP) — Muling nagkaharap sina Novak Djokovic at Rafael Nadal sa pahirapang laban. Sa krusyal na sandali, nanaig ang Serbian star at world No.2
Ginapi ni Djokovic si Nadal sa singles event bago nakipagtambalan kay Viktor Troicki para sandigan ang Serbia sa ATP Cup nitong Martes sa Australia.
Sa bansang itinuturinniyang ikalawang tahanan, nadomina ng seven-time Australian Open champion ang mahigpit na karibal at world No.1 na si Nadal para tampukan ang dominasyon ng Serbia sa 24-team, 10-day tournament.
“I have never experienced such a support in my matches ever anywhere, and I have played the biggest stadiums in tennis, and this was something different,” pahayag ni Djokovic. “I want to thank everybody for contributing to this victory on and off the court.”
Naungusan ng second-ranked na si Djokivic si Nadal, 6-2, 7-6 (4) para itabla ang ties matapos makuha ni Roberto Bautista Agut ang panalo sa unang singles event kontra Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 6-1.
“I’ll remember this experience for the rest of my life — it’s one of the nicest moments of my career. I’ve been very fortunately blessed, had an amazing career over the last 15 years, but playing for a team, playing for a country with some of my best friends is just — you can’t match that. It’s too special,” sambit ni Djokovic.
“There’s a lot of Serbian people in Sydney. If you want to make a celebration, we’re ready,” aniya.
Nahila ni Djokovic ang dominasyon kay Nadeal sa headto-head match sa siyam na sunod na laban sa hardcourts, at 19 sunod mula nang matalos sa 2013 U.S. Open final.
“I have been playing a lot of tennis the last couple of days. My level of energy is a little bit lower than usual,” pahayag ni Nadal patungkol sa nadamang pagkapagod. “So is a team decision, and we believe in our team. That’s why we had success in the past.”