Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Davis Cup Finals 2023: Great Britain trail Serbia after Jack Draper loses to Miomir Kecmanovic

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Thursday, 23 November 2023 12:00

Cameron Norrie needs a shock win over Novak Djokovic to keep alive Great Britain's hopes of beating Serbia and reaching the Davis Cup semi-finals.

Britain trail 1-0 in the best-of-three tie after Jack Draper lost 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) to Miomir Kecmanovic.

Norrie faces 24-time major champion Djokovic in the second singles match.

If Norrie does earn a first career win over the world number one, the doubles match will decide which nation plays in the last four on Saturday.

Britain, who last won the men's team event in 2015, or Serbia will face Italy in the semi-finals after Jannik Sinner inspired them to victory over the Netherlands earlier on Thursday.

Draper edged out in decisive moments in vital opener

Considered one of the rising stars of the ATP Tour, Draper is still a novice in Davis Cup terms.

But the 21-year-old left-hander had been thrust into the pressurised situation of knowing he would likely have to win his singles match if Britain were going to advance - barring Norrie inflicting a first Davis Cup singles defeat in 12 years on Djokovic.

Following injuries to Dan Evans and Andy Murray, Draper knew he would be opening the tie against Serbia even though he only made his playing debut in September's round-robin stage.

Possessing a thunderous serve and clinical forehand from the baseline, Draper is ranked 60th in the world on the back of strong form in recent weeks.

Injuries ruined his first eight months of the season, but a run of 17 wins from his 21 previous matches going into the Davis Cup tie left him feeling confident in his body and mind.

There was little to choose between Draper and Kecmanovic - but it was the Serb who executed better in the crucial moments.

An opening set full of hard-hitting and intense rallies showcased the power of the pair, with Draper holding off two break points at 3-4 and two set points at 4-5.

That led to a tie-break where two double faults by Draper - for 2-0 and 5-2 respectively - proved costly.

Kecmanovic served out the set - much to the delight of the vocal Serbian contingent - but it was a bitter blow for Draper, who had played well in a hour-long opener without being able to penetrate his opponent's superb serve.

The second set followed a similar pattern, without Draper facing the pressure he did in the opening set.

A nervy start to the tie-break saw the Briton trail 5-2, but Kecmanovic could not capitalise before Draper saved a match point with a composed volley which clipped the sideline.

But a wild, wide forehand - after which Draper threatened to smash his racquet into the court - set up another chance for Kecmanovic, which he took after landing another first serve.

Read 142 times

Soccer

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe draw for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals was made on Frid...

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFind out who is missing through injury, who's in a race against tim...

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League has announced changes to its Associated Party Tr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Detroit guard Cade Cunningham left Thursday nigh...

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhiladelphia 76ers star Paul George has a bone bruise in his left k...

Baseball

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of rehabbing fr...

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The St. Petersburg City Council reversed co...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated