Novak Djokovic says his passion needs no explanation after inspiring Serbia into the ATP Cup finals with a thrilling win over France sealed on his nation’s traditional Christmas Day.
The world No.2, eyeing an eighth Australian Open later this month, was impressive in a 6-3 6-2 win over world No.9 Gael Monfils to level the tie 1-1 in Brisbane on Monday night.
But it was the decisive doubles rubber that was the highlight, Djokovic partnering Viktor Troicki to beat Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3 6-7 (7-5) 10-3 in an electric battle that stretched well beyond midnight.
The victory takes Serbia to 2-0 in the inaugural teams tournament and a lock for Sydney’s quarter-finals – joining unbeaten Australia – ahead of Wednesday’s final group clash with Chile in Brisbane.
And it leaves France 1-1 needing a dominant win over South Africa on Wednesday to reach the last eight as one of two next-best teams across the six pools.
Any concerns the season-starting tournament was merely an Australian Open warm-up were put to bed when the decider came to life in midway through the second set.
Upset when judged on review to have encroached and hit the ball for a winner before it crossed the net, Djokovic’s outburst fired up both camps.
They traded sublime volleys in the games that followed, France saving break points before winning the second-set tie-break.
Djokovic was the steady head in the match tie-break though as Serbia edged ahead 6-3 and cruised home on a night that eventually became the morning of Serbia’s Orthadox Christmas Day.
“You can see it on the court, I don’t need to talk about it too much,” he said.
“I really show my emotion because I really care about playing for Serbia and being in a team with my friends.
“I grew up with Viktor, played so many doubles matches together.”
Their victory also soothed the pair’s soul after a tight doubles loss to Russia in the Davis Cup quarter-finals that Troicki labelled one of the toughest of his career.
“You saw the atmosphere, the Serbian people, I didn’t expect so many of them and being on Christmas Day with us, post-midnight it was amazing and we want to thank them,” he said.
“It did feel like playing at home.”
Earlier Djokovic notched a 16th-straight victory against fluid Parisian Monfils, who failed to convert all nine of his break point chances.
It was a must-win match for Djokovic after livewire Benoit Paire’s fiery 6-2 6-7 (8-6) 6-4 defeat of Dusan Lajovic had put the French 1-0 up.
Paire unloaded on two racquets and threw two drink bottles across the court after missing several chances to wrap up his clash in straight sets.
The world No.24 had to be counselled by his teammates as he stewed between sets, with Monfils even returning to the court to offer some words of advice.