Djokovic beats Shapovalov, leads Serbia into ATP Cup semis

vak Djokovic h an almost full house on his side at Ken Rosewell Arena, and felt like he needed to be a responsible host for his guests. re was a delay in 10th game of third set of his ATP Cup quarterfinal match against Denis Shapovalov on Friday when a spectator needed medical attention from paramedics and Djokovic, despite being down 0-30 while serving for match, took a bottle of water over toward stium seating and asked crowd to pass it along.

He got back level at 30-30 in that game before Shapovalov broke to level set at 5-5. Canian saved a breakpoint in next game but after it went to a tiebreaker following 2 1/2 hours, Djokovic seized control by winning first five points and n finished off a comeback 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) .

Dusan Lajovic h earlier beaten Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2 and so Djokovic's win sealed quarterfinal ahe of doubles match, giving Serbia a spot in semifinals against Russia.

“That was so close, it could have gone in a different way easily. (Shapovalov) was playing terrific tennis,” Djokovic said. “It felt, t a little bit, fully like I'm playing at home.”

Djokovic, who has won a record seven Australian Open men's singles titles, was playing in Sydney for first time in a dece after going 3-0 in singles in ATP Cup group st in Brisbane.

“I'm mean, Brisbane we h amazing support — but this has taken it to a different level,” Djokovic said. "All Serbian people came out today."

temperature topped topped 33 Celsius (91 F) during match, and it was hazy outside with a lack of breeze, making conditions inside arena stifling.

Djokovic endured it all to extend his record to 5-0 against Shapovalov. constant chants and even a burst of trumpet from flag-waving Serbian fans certainly helped him, he said. 16-major winner reveled in team environment, with his teammates and coaches on side of court, and echo of “le, le, le” going around stium.

Shapovalov complained about ise me as he served a double-fault to fall behind 4-0 in tiebreaker, and umpire asked crowd to keep quiet during service motion.