Djokovic crushes Xilas to hand Serbia 2-0 lead over Greece in Davis Cup
The Serbian returned to action for the first time since the US Open, dismantling his opponent in just 45 minutes in the Davis Cup World Group stage
Novak Djokovic, Davis Cup Finals – Zuma / Panoramic
Novak Djokovic was in imperious form on his first return to action since the US Open, sweeping aside world No 770 Ioannis Xilas 6-0, 6-1 in just 45 minutes.
Playing in front of a home crowd in the World Group stage of the Davis Cup – the tier below the regular group stage also currently taking place – Djokovic showed little sign of the rustiness and fatigue that plagued him in New York.
It is worth acknowledging that he was playing against a highly inexperienced player, but the gulf in class was evident from the start.
It looked as though the 24-time Grand Slam champion was set to complete just his second two-set double bagel, having gone 6-0, 5-0 up in the blink of an eye. But Xilas, to his great credit, did well to earn a single service hold at the final chance to avoid such ignominy.
In a touching moment, the Serbian crowd started to cheer for the Greek player after he finally won his first game.
Nevertheless, this was a hugely one-sided victory and a chastening experience for the 23-year-old Greek.
Djokovic won a 52 points, while his opponent managed just 16. Three breaks in the first set and two in the second were more than enough for the Serb to breeze through a simple match to move his nation 2-0 ahead of Greece in their World Group tie.
In this lower rung of the Davis Cup, the ties are best of five matches, so there is still hope for Greece to stage a remarkable comeback.
But today’s victory for Djokovic has put Serbia in a commanding lead, and they will be confident of seeing out this tie in the next match, a doubles match-up in which Djokovic is also playing.
Earlier in the day, Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Aristotelis Thanos 6-3, 6-3 to set Serbia on their way.
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