Novak Djokovic bought the get together began for 2024 as he sealed a 2-1 win for Serbia over China close to the stroke of midnight on Sunday on the United Cup in Perth.
The world primary kicked off the brand new season by teaming up in blended doubles with compatriot and longtime good friend Olga Danilovic to carry off Zheng Qinwen and ATP quantity 58 Zhang Zhizhen for a 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 victory.
Glancing at his watch after his on-court interview, Djokovic then implored the home DJ to fill in for 5 minutes earlier than main the RAC stadium crowd in a rousing countdown to the midnight hour.
“Due to the followers for staying this late,” the winner of 24 Grand Slams mentioned.
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“We’re glad you determined to spend this particular evening with us.”
The Serbs have been taking part in their first match on the competitors whereas China now stand 1-1.
Djokovic gained his earlier singles over Zhang 6-3, 6-2 whereas Daniovic went down 6-4, 6-2 to her Chinese language opponent Zheng, the WTA’s 2023 Most Improved Participant who has risen to be world quantity 15.
The 22-year-old Danilovic couldn’t reward her celebrated teammate sufficient.
“This was primary on my bucket checklist – to play with Novak and to win, I’m so completely happy.
“This was an unimaginable match, I gave my all and I’m glad to complete 2023 like this, it couldn’t be higher.
“I’ve regarded as much as Novak from the primary second I touched a racquet.”
Defending champions USA win
Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz needed to combat by way of a deciding doubles match to conclude a 2-1 defeat of Britain on Sunday for the US to remain in title rivalry on the United Cup.
The defending champions, who gained the trophy final January over Italy, earned a 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 10-7 blended doubles win to assert victory in Perth after the edges cut up the singles.
“We’ve got a workforce power from final yr right here, we don’t need to take a loss and let it die,” mentioned Fritz, who was damaged twice within the opening set.
World quantity 5 Pegula added: “To get a win on this vogue after such a protracted day (on court docket) brings again plenty of reminiscences.
“It was an enormous win as we speak, particularly after shedding such a troublesome singles match.”
Britain, who beat Australia to open their event account, took a 1-0 lead when Pegula crashed 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to Katie Boulter within the singles.
It was Boulter’s first win over a top-five participant on her seventh try after she bounced again from a set and double-break down.
Pegula’s Tenth-ranked teammate Fritz stored the tie alive regardless of a thigh pressure he blamed on over-training, defeating Cameron Norrie 7-6 (5), 6-4.
“I strained one thing however bought by way of it,” mentioned Fritz. “Cam and I’ve performed so many occasions (14). It’s at all times a battle, at all times shut.”
In Sydney, Leylah Fernandez led Canada to a combating victory over Chile with the previous US Open finalist profitable her singles rubber after which backing up in a decisive blended doubles.
The Thirty fifth-ranked Fernandez bought Canada off to an ideal begin, cruising previous Chile’s Daniela Seguel 6-2, 6-3 in 73 minutes.
With Canadian primary Felix Auger-Aliassime sitting out the boys’s singles, 314th-ranked Steven Diez stepped up however was toppled by world quantity 19 Nicolas Jarry 7-5, 6-4.
It arrange a deciding blended doubles, with Fernandez teaming with Diez to battle previous Seguel and Tomas Barrios Vera 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.
“I’m extraordinarily pleased with the way in which I performed,” mentioned Fernandez, who was a part of the Canadian workforce that gained the Billie Jean King Cup for the primary time this yr.
The 21-year-old broke 5 occasions in her singles conflict in opposition to a participant in her first WTA Tour-level singles match in practically two years, utilizing the serve-and-volley tactic nicely.
“First match of the season so had some nerves, however pleased with the way in which I used to be in a position to deal with it,” she mentioned.