It is strange to think that Novak Djokovic once had a relatively average Davis Cup record. Granted, a record of 12 wins from 18 matches in the years before 2010 is not too shoddy, but it is also a far cry from the player we know today. Suffice to say that the days when Djokovic could lose to the likes of Kristof Vliegen and Olivier Rochus have long since been consigned to the past.
With his 6-3, 6-4 quarter-final victory over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, Djokovic recorded his 18th successive Davis Cup singles win. For good measure, he then made a swift return to the Madrid Arena’s centre court, partnering Nikola Cacic to a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory against Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov to complete a 2-1 win that moves Serbia into the semi-finals for the fifth time.
“The saviour and hero of our team,” Serbia’s captain Viktor Troicki called him, without hyperbole.
Djokovic’s emotional connection with a competition that has had a defining influence on his career was plain to see as Miomir Kecmanovic slipped to an agonising 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (13-11) defeat against Mikhail Kukushkin in the opening rubber. The image of Djokovic crouched low behind the hoardings, head in hands in despair, will live long in the memory.
In a battle that raged for three hours and 18 minutes, the 69th-ranked Kecmanovic fought back from a set and a break down on his Davis Cup debut to lead 3-0 in the decider. An all too familiar tale seemed to be unfolding for Kukushkin, who has managed just three wins on the ATP Tour this year, but on this occasion a player who has often been transformed when representing his country was in no mood to be denied.
Kukushkin saved five break points to avoid a 4-0 deficit and two match points with Kecmanovic serving at 5-3. Two more match points would go begging for Serbia before the courageous Kukushkin converted his fifth match point to put Kazakhstan 1-0 ahead, setting the stage for Djokovic’s heroics.
“Grand slams and playing for national team: those are the two most important goals I have throughout the years,” said Djokovic, whose pivotal role in leading Serbia to the title in 2010 was the catalyst for his rise to No 1 the following year. “I just feel so much motivation, and I am inspired to be part of the team. As long as I’m healthy, I’ll be there for the captain. I’ll try to be available always for the team, because the team competitions like Davis Cup… just provoke the most beautiful emotions in me. I’m very motivated to play for Serbia.
“It means a lot to me personally, but I think to all of us, because we are also a relatively young team. Next to me, the guys are supposed to take the torch in the future and lead this national team. Viktor retired this year as active player, and now he’s a captain. So there are a lot of changes happening. We are trying to find the right team that will carry the flag of our country in the years to come. As long as I’m able to contribute in a positive way, I will be here.”
While Kazakhstan have now lost all six of the Davis Cup quarter-finals they have contested, Serbia move on to face Croatia in the last four.