Tennis

Djokovic pulls out; France eyes final

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-19 10:31

Gael Monfils of France reacts during his single Davis Cup world group semi-final tennis match against David Nalbandian of Argentina in Lyon September 17, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - Serbia's passionate dream of reaching a first Davis Cup final survived the shock withdrawal of world No 2 Novak Djokovic on Friday while France eased to the verge of December's title match.

US Open runner-up Djokovic withdrew from the opening rubber of the semifinal against the Czech Republic complaining of gastro-enteritis with teammate Victor Troicki, the world No 47, stepping into the breach.

Radek Stepanek, who helped take the Czechs to the final last year, overcame Troicki 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Members of France's team celebrate in the cloakroom after their victory over Argentina in their Davis Cup world group semi-final tennis matches in Lyon September 18, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

But a vocal crowd of 15,000 in Belgrade then carried Janko Tipsarevic to a 7-5, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (5) win over world No 7 Tomas Berdych, the Wimbledon runner-up, to leave the tie finely-balanced ahead of Saturday's doubles.

"It feels great to beat a top 10 player at home," said Tipsarevic, who knocked Andy Roddick out of the US Open.

"It didn't matter what happened (with Djokovic). My plan was to play well from start to finish."

Djokovic had only returned from America early on Wednesday after losing to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final on Monday.

But he hinted he was ready to return to play on Saturday as well as Sunday's reverse singles if necessary.

"I heard Djokovic wasn't going to play about three hours before the start," said Stepanek.

"But it's not our problem. You have to be ready for whoever is on the other side of the net."

Stepanek said it was his best performance since his return to action.

"When you play for your country, you have a lion in your heart," he said.

France, a nine-time winner, was 2-0 ahead of Argentina in its semifinal in Lyon after Michael Llodra served and volleyed his way to a 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Juan Monaco.