Djokovic, Czechs in Davis Cup Final; Thrilling Playoff Finishes

Davis Cup World Group

Serbia d. Canada 3-2

Canada’s best efforts, including a 10-8 in the fifth singles win on Friday when Milos Raonic defeated Janko Tipsarevic, or a 10-8 in the fifth doubles win when Daniel Nestor and Vasil “Popsicle” Pospisil beat Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac, could not stop the Serbs. In the first Sunday singles, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated Raonic in straight sets, before Tipsarevic played the hero in the decider with a 7-6(3), 6-2, 7-6(6) win over Posicle.
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“Winning the 2010 trophy was an inspiration to all of us to excel the following season on the ATP tour and that’s why it has a very special place in my heart,” Djokovic said. “I’ve won a number of Grand Slams but nothing compares to sharing the joy of victory with your teammates, who are there for you and cheer on every shot you take on the court in the Davis Cup.”

Czech Republic d. Argentina 3-2

The Czechs strolled through to the final over the weekend, clinching the tie 3-0 after the Saturday doubles.

In the Friday singles Radek “The Worm” Stepanek defeated Juan Monaco in straights, and Tomas Berdych followed with a four-set win over Leo Mayer. In the Saturday doubles Stepanek-Berdych cliched, beating Carlos Berlocq and Horacio Zeballos in straights to set up the final showdown in Serbia.

Davis Cup Playoffs Round

Spain d. Ukraine 5-0

Rafa Nadal stars in singles and doubles as Spain retains their spot in the World Group for 2014.

Netherlands d. Austria 5-0

Dutchman Robin Haase wins in singles and doubles, and Thiemo de Bakker wins a five-setter as the Netherlands advances.

Britain d. Croatia 4-1

Andy Murray carries the Brits to victory as the only Top 30-ranked player involved in the tie.

Switzerland d. Ecuador 4-1

Stan Wawrinka is enough to down an Ecuadorian team that cannot raise a player ranked in the Top 250.

Germany d. Brazil 4-1

Philipp Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer drive Germany to victory as the Brazilians win the doubles, but Thomaz Bellucci drops both singles without winning a set.

Australia d. Poland 4-1

Poland manages only the doubles point as Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic are too strong in singles.

Belgium d. Israel 3-2

The Belgians bounce back from a 1-2 deficit on Sunday as Ruben Bemelmans beats Dudi Sela in four, and Steve Darcis clinches it with a straight-set win over Amir Weintraub.

Japan d. Colombia 3-2

Japan likewise stages a Sunday surge to win as Kei Nishikori tops Santiago Giraldo in straights to even the tie, and Go Soeda plays the hero with a four-set win over Alejandro Falla.

Safarova Wins 1st WTA Title in 5+ Years at Quebec City

No. 3-seeded wildcard Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic claimed the WTA Bell Challenge title in Quebec City, Canada on Sunday, beating No. 6-seeded Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 6-4, 6-3 for her first title in more than five years.

It was Safarova’s fifth career WTA title and first since Forest Hills in 2008. “My strategy was to try to go to her backhand side and just try to use my lefty shots as well as I could,” Safarova said. “I was a little bit nervous at the end because it was so long since my last WTA title.”

Erakovic fell to 1-3 in WTA finals, her second runner-up at Quebec City.

Jovanovski Goes From Qualifier to Trophy Winner at WTA Tashkent

Forced to qualify to the main draw after a late entry, Bojana Jovanovski won seven matches in eight days to claim her second career WTA title at the Tashkent Open, in the final winning a marathon 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3) victory over Olga Govortsova.

“Anybody could have won this match today,” Jovanovski said. “It was a close match and all credit to Olga for an incredible battle…I’ve had a tough year. I haven’t had too many matches, so it was good that I had to play the qualies. It’s great to finish this week on a good note. This title means a lot to me.”

Jovanovski improved to 2-0 in career WTA finals, while Govortsova fell to 0-4.