World number 2 Novak Djokovic increased his winning streak to 23 after winning the first rubber at the Davis Cup Final on Friday. Djokovic defeated Radek Stepanek 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 to give Serbia a 1-0 lead against Czech Republic.
World number seven Tomas Berdych aims to level the tie for the defending champion when he faces 117th-ranked Dusan Lajovic in the second match on Friday.
“It was crucial that we won the first match to get the advantage in this tie,” said Djokovic. “Hopefully Lajovic can enjoy himself, play his best, and then you never know what can happen.”
Djokovic is on an impressive 23-match winning streak which included successful defense of titles in Beijing and Shanghai and winning the Paris Masters title and the ATP World Tour Finals in London earlier this week. He defeated world number one Rafael Nadal for the title on Monday.
“We both served well. But this surface is slower than the ones I played on in Paris and London. Obviously Radek is a great competitor, especially in this competition. He always plays at his best for his country and I knew that. So I tried to be aggressive, be in the court and mix up the pace. The first set was very close. After that set, I managed to feel better on the court,” Djokovic said of his Davis Cup opponent.
Czech Republic is the defending champion at this prestigious event after outlasting Spain in last year’s final. The team is gunning for its third title victory in this men’s team tournament.
