Great Britain’s Davis Cup group are decided to break Novak Djokovic’s remaining huge aim of one other astonishing season.
At 36, the Serbian is arguably extra dominant than ever, having added a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals crown in Turin on the weekend to 3 extra grand slam titles.
He was agonisingly near profitable all 4, lacking out by the narrowest of margins to Carlos Alcaraz within the Wimbledon remaining, however since then Djokovic has stamped his authority again on the game, lifting the trophy in all of the occasions he has performed.
Thursday’s quarter-final in Malaga will see a Djokovic-led Serbia tackle Leon Smith’s Britain, who had been speaking up their probabilities on the Palacio de deportes Martin Carpena area on Wednesday.
“Davis Cup, there is a lot of hype, a lot of fans,” mentioned Cameron Norrie, who can have the daunting process of taking over Djokovic within the second singles rubber.
“It’s a different kind of pressure. I think it’s going to work in our favour and we love it. It’s been a long ride this year and we’ve got a great team. We’re all ready to compete.”
Norrie has gained just one set in three earlier matches in opposition to Djokovic and their final assembly in Rome in May resulted in a confrontation after the British No.1 hit his opponent within the leg with a smash.
Norrie has had a disappointing second half of the season and opted to overlook the Paris Masters with a view to relaxation forward of this occasion.
Barring an almighty upset, although, Britain’s possibilities of progressing to Saturday’s semi-final rely on in-form Jack Draper profitable the opening singles match – most likely in opposition to Thirty third-ranked Laslo Djere – after which success within the doubles.
Djokovic will surely play if it got here all the way down to a deciding rubber however he has no actual pedigree within the format, whereas Joe Salisbury – contemporary from ATP Finals success – and Neal Skupski have each gained slam titles this season.
Djokovic expects a fierce battle, saying: “Great Britain has so many options, for both singles and doubles. I know that Andy Murray and Evans (both injured) are not here but, still, Great Britain is a very strong team in this format.
“If we break up singles matches, then we’re stepping into the doubles, the place they’ve the most effective gamers on the earth.
“We rely on singles but, if it comes to doubles, we are also ready to pair up in the different combinations and give it all.
“We heard that the stadium goes to be virtually stuffed tomorrow. I do know there’s nice British presence on this stretch within the coast of Andalucia. I’m actually trying ahead to it.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
