Serbia, France trail 2-1 in Davis Cup semifinals

Serbia and France won doubles matches Saturday to stay alive in the Davis Cup semifinals after being swept in the opening singles.

Defending champion Serbia is hoping U.S. Open winner Novak Djokovic will be healthy enough to help complete a comeback against Argentina in reverse singles Sunday. Rafael Nadal will try to send Spain to victory over France.

Spain and Argentina were in command in Friday’s opening round, but neither came close to winning the doubles. Each leads 2-1 entering Sunday’s conclusion to the best-of-five series.

France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Michael Llodra routed Spain’s Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-2, 6-0. Serbia’s Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki beat Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-2.

Nadal’s mastery on clay means Spain remains the favorite at Cordoba’s bullring. But Argentina could face bigger problems if Djokovic can play in the first singles against Juan Martin del Potro.

The top-ranked Djokovic led Serbia to its first Davis Cup title last year after beating France 3-2 in the final. He skipped Friday’s match because of lingering back pain following his win over Nadal in the U.S. Open final Monday. However, he trained at Belgrade Arena immediately after the doubles victory and is expected to be available.

“If Novak plays, I fancy our chances,” Zimonjic said.

Zimonjic and Troicki trailed 4-1 in the second set Saturday, but won eight consecutive games to cruise to victory with two breaks in the third set.

“It was a must-win situation and we played well under the pressure,” Zimonjic said.

In the second singles Sunday, U.S. Open quarterfinalist Janko Tipsarevic is expected to face David Nalbandian. Tipsarevic was beaten by Del Potro on Friday.

“Tomorrow will be difficult two matches, knowing Djokovic will play,” Argentina captain Tito Vazquez said.

Spain endured its worst loss in a Davis Cup doubles match, with Tsonga and Llodra wrapping up the match in 99 minutes. 

(AP)