Monday, July 11, 2011

GreenBkk.com World Sport | Holders Serbia reach Davis Cup semis

Holders Serbia reach Davis Cup semis

July 10, 2011 -- Updated 2022 GMT (0422 HKT)


Janko Tipsarevic gained the winning point as holders Serbia beat Sweden to reach the Davis Cup semifinals.

(CNN) -- Holders Serbia are through to the semifinals of the Davis Cup after a comfortable 4-1 victory over hosts Sweden in Halmstad on Sunday.

Despite Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic not competing in the singles rubbers because of a knee problem, Serbia secured a showdown with Argentina when Janko Tipsarevic beat Michael Ryderstedt 6-2 7-5 6-3.

Sweden were without world number five Robin Soderling, and they went behind on Friday when Viktor Troicki defeated Ryderstedt, ranked a lowly 297th in the world.

Djokovic slips to Davis Cup doubles defeat

Tipsarevic gave Serbia a 2-0 lead when he beat Ervin Eleskovic, after the Swede was forced to retire injured from the second singles.

New world No.1 Djokovic's only appearance in the tie saw him partner Nenad Zimonjic to a straight sets defeat against Simon Aspelin and Robert Lindstedt.

But Serbia won both the reverse singles rubbers on Sunday and they will now face Argentina, who thrashed Kazhakstan 5-0, for a place in the final.

Meanwhile, France have also reached the last four after completing a 4-1 victory over Germany in Stuttgart.

France won the opening two singles rubbers and Saturday's doubles to already seal their place in the semis.

Germany pulled a consolation point back when Philipp Petzschner saw off Michael Llodra 6-3 6-4 but Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 7-6 to wrap up victory.

France will play either the United States or Spain in the semifinals, with Spain currently leading 2-1 in Austin.

World No.1 doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan kept the hosts in the hunt with a 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over Spain's Marcel Granollers and Fernando Verdasco on Saturday after the visitors had won the opening two singles matches on Friday.

In the reverses singles, Mardy Fish will meet David Ferrer, while Andy Roddick must take on Feliciano Lopez in the finale.

Credit: CNN (www.cnn.com)

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