Djokovic silences Britain, helps Serbia into Davis Cup semis
“Learn how to respect people, learn how to respect players, learn how to behave yourselves.”
World No 1 Novak Djokovic steered Serbia into the Davis Cup semifinals as he beat Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 to secure a 2-0 triumph over Great Britain in Malaga, Spain, on Thursday.
The 36-year-old rebuked British fans at the end of the match as they tried to down out his victory speech.
After Miomir Kecmanovic edged Jack Draper 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (8/6) in the opening clash 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic outclassed a stubborn Norrie to book a date with Jannik Sinner’s Italy on Saturday, after they beat the Netherlands 2-1.
Djokovic, who beat Sinner to win the ATP Finals on Sunday in Turin before flying to the Costa del Sol, celebrated his landmark 400th week at No 1 with a straight sets win over Norrie, the captains agreeing not to play the redundant doubles.
British fans outnumbered Serbs at the sold-out Martin Carpena arena but the relentless Djokovic silenced them with his 21st consecutive Davis Cup singles win.
“Keep going, keep going,” said Djokovic, addressing British fans trying to drown him out with drums as he spoke after his win.
“Learn how to respect people, learn how to respect players, learn how to behave yourselves.”
Djokovic said earlier this week winning the competition is one of his “greatest goals” in a year where he has lifted seven titles, including three Grand Slams.
The veteran star was part of Serbia’s only Davis Cup triumph in 2010 and his country eliminated 10-time champions Britain, who faced an uphill struggle after Kecmanovic defeated Draper in two tie-breaks.
Britain, without the injured Andy Murray and Dan Evans, were hoping Draper could give them a cushion.
Serbia captain Viktor Troicki selected Kecmanovic over the higher ranked Laslo Djere and the world number 55 raised his game in return.
Draper staved off two set points to hold for 5-5 but unravelled in the first tie-break, double faulting twice and miscalculating a drop shot to hand the Serbian the set on a plate.
After composing himself the second set was even tighter than the first, with neither player able to find a break again.
The near-flawless Kecmanovic triumphed when Draper lashed a forehand wide and then pushed a return into the net.
“It was definitely very close, and just the atmosphere made it, I think, even more tense than it probably would be if it was like an ATP match or something,” said the Serb.
