Number one in the tennis world was too strong for Jan-Lennard Struff - the decision in the Davis Cup duel with Serbia will be made in the final doubles.
Against the 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner, Struff clearly had to admit defeat 2: 6, 4: 6 in Innsbruck on Saturday evening and missed a coup for an early success in favor of the German team.
After two games in this preliminary round, the score is 1: 1.
So Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz play in doubles for the overall victory.
Dominik Koepfer took the lead for the Germans in the first individual with a 7: 6 (7: 4), 6: 4 against Filip Krajinovic. “I knew that if I won, it would depend on doubles. So of course I am happy that I was able to get the point and that we are now in a position where we can win, ”said Koepfer, who needed almost two hours for his success.
In the preliminary round in Innsbruck, before the corona-related empty spectator stands, qualify for the quarter-finals.
The Serbs had won 3-0 against Austria on Friday evening and can make the progress perfect with a win against the Germans.
The German team will play their second group game against the hosts on Sunday (not before 4 p.m. / ServusTV).
In addition to the group winners, two runners-up reach the knockout round.
Because Alexander Zverev, who defeated Djokovic at the ATP Finals a week ago, does not participate in the Davis Cup, Struff takes on the role of the German number one.
The world number 51.
had got tips from Zverev, but could not do anything against the tennis top star and suffered the seventh defeat in the seventh comparison.
Djokovic initially did not let Struff come into the game.
In the first two games, the German made no point.
The match wasn't as one-sided as the beginning.
Overall, Djokovic was clearly superior.
“I thought I made it a little too easy for him.
That's why I'm disappointed.
I'm not satisfied with my performance, "said Struff at ServusTV:" I was definitely stressed.
I have planned a lot. "