• Davis Cup

Serbia claim historic victory

ESPN staff
December 5, 2010
Viktor Troicki won the decisive final rubber © Getty Images
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Viktor Troicki was the hero for Serbia as they overturned a 2-1 deficit to win the Davis Cup for the first time in their history.

Spurred on by a raucous home crowd at the Belgrade Arena, Troicki beat Michael Llodra after Novak Djokovic had levelled the tie earlier on Sunday.

Llodra had a perfect record in the Davis Cup this season, but he was no match for an inspired Troicki, who raced to an early lead, and never looked back as he held his nerve to wrap up a 6-2 6-2 6-3 victory.

Troicki and doubles partner Nenad Zimonjic had raced to a two-set lead in Saturday's dramatic doubles rubber, but fell in five sets, but the world No. 30 showed no signs of doubt, sealing the victory with a superb backhand return.

With France needing a single victory to win the competition for a tenth time, Serbian hopes rested on Djokovic's shoulders. Failure to beat Gael Monfils would have signaled the end for Serbia. But Djokovic showed nerves of steel as he stormed past Monfils 6-2 6-2 6-4 to level the tie.

"It was an unbelievable emotion, under the circumstances with the huge pressure, I played an amazing match," Djokovic said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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