Serbia is one win away from the Davis Cup semifinals after Nenad Zimonjic and Illija Bozoljac upset Bob and Mike Bryan in the doubles rubber. Novak Djokovic can finish off the United States on Sunday, but the tie would come down to Viktor Troicki and John Isner if it somehow goes five.
Novak Djokovic can send Serbia through to the Davis Cup semifinals when he takes the court against Sam Querrey on Sunday afternoon in Boise, Idaho. Djokovic is dominating the head-to-head series 5-1, including 3-1 on hard courts. Querrey actually won their only indoor meeting last fall in Paris, but a mostly disinterested Djokovic went away without much of fight after bageling his opponent in the first set. Querrey will hope for a quick start in this one, as he not won a single game in the opening set of his last two encounters with Djokovic (6-0, 7-6(6) last month in Indian Wells).
Both players are coming off strong performances on Friday. Djokovic kicked off the tie with a 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-5 win over John Isner before Querrey leveled the score by overcoming Viktor Troicki 7-6(1), 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Djokovic has not exactly been on fire since triumphing at the Australian Open and Dubai, but his inspired effort against Isner should have him back on track. Losses by the world No. 1 in Indian Wells (to Juan Martin Del Potro) and in Miami (to Tommy Haas) appear to be things of the past. Querrey maintained momentum from encouraging recent performances thanks to his comeback against Troicki. The 20th-ranked American reached the fourth round at each of last month’s Masters events and he is now 14-7 for his 2013 campaign.
Unfortunately for Querrey, his back is against the wall on Sunday. Bob and Mike Bryan lost a stunning heartbreaker to the Serbian duo of Nenad Zimonjic and Illija Bozoljac on Saturday, 7-6(5), 7-6(1), 5-7, 4-6, 15-13. That gave the visitors all the momentum, and with Djokovic up next it is hard to imagine them giving any of it back.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
Should some kind of miracle take place, Isner and Troicki would square off for the fifth time in their careers. Troicki is leading head-to-head series 3-1, including 2-1 on hard courts and 1-0 in Davis Cup. The Serb won a 2010 clash at home on clay 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, helping his nation reach the second round en route to its first title of the team event. Isner and Troicki have not faced each other since a 2011 Canada Masters encounter, which Troicki won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Both players are coming off losses on Friday, although both were underdogs. Novak Djokovic took care of Isner 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-5 before Sam Querrey overcame Troicki 7-6(1), 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Unlike in previous seasons, losing isn’t anything new for Isner. The 23rd-ranked American is a disappointing 7-8 for the season, which includes early exits in Indian Wells and Miami plus a knee injury that forced him out of the Australian Open. Troicki has been even worse throughout in 2013 campaign, having compiled a 4-8 record. The world No. 44 has not won back-to-back matches since Cincinnati last summer and he’ll have to wait until later this month to have a chance of accomplishing such a feat. Recent results includes losses in the Indian Wells first round, the Dallas Challenger second round, and the Miami second round.
Of course, this match will most likely not take place because Serbia has a 2-1 lead in the tie after Nenad Zimonjic and Illija Bozoljac stunned Bob and Mike Bryan 7-6(5), 7-6(1), 5-7, 4-6, 15-13 in Saturday’s doubles rubber. With Djokovic opening on Sunday against Troicki, this should not go past the fourth rubber. If it does, it means the United States has all the momentum and an inspired Isner should be able to power his way to a win in fast conditions at high altitude.
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