Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning his match over Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin during their Davis Cup World Group first round tennis match, in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo: AP)
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray spent almost 10 hours on court between them as they steered Serbia and Great Britain into a blockbuster Davis Cup quarter-final showdown.
World number one Djokovic needed four hours and 57 minutes yesterday to defeat Mikhail Kukushkin 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to pull Serbia level at 2-2 with Kazakhstan in Belgrade.
Viktor Troicki then beat world number 200 Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to put 2010 champions Serbia into a July 15-17 quarter-final with defending champions Great Britain.
Djokovic hit 19 aces and 37 winners but committed 94 unforced errors in his epic win over Kukushkin.
“This was one of the most difficult matches in my career both physically and mentally,” said 28-year-old Djokovic, who again was feeling the effects of a shoulder twinge.
World number two Murray needed four hours 55 minutes in Birmingham to defeat Kei Nishikori 7-5, 7-6 (8/6), 3-6 4-6, 6-3 in another epic duel as his side took an unbeatable 3-1 lead over Japan.
Murray had seemed set for a comfortable afternoon against sixth-ranked Nishikori by taking the first two sets against a player he had defeated five times in six previous encounters.
But Nishikori battled and was even a break to the good in the deciding set before Murray stormed back for victory.
“The crowd helped for sure. I was struggling a little at the end of the third and a little bit throughout the fourth,” said Murray, who had been looking at the prospect of losing from two sets up for the first time in 11 years.
Murray, 28, who won his singles opener on Friday and teamed up with brother Jamie to claim Saturday’s doubles, was playing for the first time in five weeks after taking time off to be with wife Kim and baby daughter Sophia.
“Thank you for all the support today,” tweeted Nishikori.
“Sorry we could not win. It was a big battle. We keep working to improve,” he added.
