MADRID, November 21, 2019
Novak Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic remained flawless at the Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals to send Serbia with a 2-1 victory over France into the quarterfinals. On Thursday afternoon, Krajinovic battled past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 7-6 followed by Djokovic defeating Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-3.
“The team is looking good, we won all six sets yesterday, it was important getting a clean sheet against Japan coming into today’s match. Filip definitely gave me wings with his win, which was quite amazing, Tsonga was playing well and in good form and Filip was just fantastic on the court today. Credit to him,” said a proud Djokovic on Centre Court at Caja Magica.
“My side, I think I played solid. Benoit started very well, he had some break points in the first game, managed to save those and I made crucial breaks at the right time I think in both sets. It’s tough to play Benoit, he’s a very talented guy, very unpredictable as well, big serve but can come up with different shots, some uncharacteristic mistakes but at the same time he can come up with some amazing winners, so I had to stay focused all the way through.”
Serbia will take on Russia on Friday morning.
Kohlschreiber sends Germany into last eight against Great Britain
Philipp Kohlschreiber posted his 20th Davis Cup match win to secure Germany a place in the quarterfinals. On Stadium 2, the 36-year-old from Augsburg defeated Nicolas Jarry of Chile 6-4, 6-3 in 68 minutes.
“I played a very good match. I served and returned well. We had a very good win yesterday but we knew that we had to win one more tie to win the group. It’s nice to earn the first point for the team,” Kohlschreiber was happy with his performance.
“I have been playing Davis Cup for many years. The atmosphere in our team is great with an outstanding support. I enjoy it a lot, event though there is always pressure when you play for your country. Conditions suit my game, as I am used to play in altitude. The surface is pretty fair, which allows to play good level of tennis.”
In the second singles rubber, Jan-Lennard Struff lost to Cristian Garin 7-6(3), 6-7(7), 6-7(8) after two hours and 41 minutes but reigning Roland Garros champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies sealed the 2-1 win for Germany in doubles against Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera and Alejandro Tabilo.
Germany will play Great Britain, which defeated Kazakhstan 2-1 without Andy Murray on the court. Kyle Edmund opened the tie on a winning-note with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Mikhail Kukushkin in the opening rubber before British No. 1 Dan Evans went down 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 defeat to an inspired Alexander Bublik. Kukushkin and Bublik teamed up for the doubles rubber but lost to Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski 6-1 6-4.
The quarter-finals are set!
🇷🇸🆚🇷🇺 (#SRBRUS)
🇦🇺🆚🇨🇦 (#AUSCAN)
🇬🇧🆚🇩🇪 (#GBRGER)
🇦🇷🆚🇪🇸 (#ARGESP)#DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 21, 2019
Organizers bring forward start times of sessions
From Friday, the Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals will bring forward the start times of each session in order to minimise the chances of a late finish.
On Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November, the day session will start at 10:30 CET (instead of 11:00 CET) and the evening session not before 17:30 CET (instead of 18:00 CET).
In addition, 10 minutes instead of 20 minutes will be scheduled between the first and second singles matches, and up to 30 minutes between the second singles and the doubles.
Day 4 Results
Day Session
Centre Court – Group A
Serbia defeated France 2-1
Filip Krajinovic (SRB) d. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 7-5 7-6(5)
Novak Djokovic (SRB) d. Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-3 6-3
Pierre-Hugues Herbert/Nicolas Mahut (FRA) d. Janko Tipsarevic/Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-4 6-4
Stadium 2 – Group C
Germany defeated Chile 2-1
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) d. Nicolas Jarry (CHI) 6-4 6-3
Cristian Garin (CHI) d. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-7(3) 7-6(7) 7-6(8)
Kevin Krawietz/Andreas Mies (GER) d. Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera/Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) 7-6(3) 6-3
Stadium 3 – Group E
Great Britain defeated Kazakhstan 2-1
Kyle Edmund (GBR) d. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-3 6-3
Alexander Bublik (KAZ) d. Daniel Evans (GBR) 5-7 6-4 6-1
Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski (GBR) d. Alexander Bublik/Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-1 6-4
