Playing for the first time since winning his 24th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, Novak Djokovic continued his winning ways with a 6-3, 6-4 Davis Cup win against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday. Djokovic’s victory in Valencia clinched the tie for Serbia and secured the nation its place in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga in November.

“I’m on cloud nine, as you can say, with everything the has been happening lately on the tennis court,” Djokovic said post-match, alluding to his titles in Cincinnati and at the US Open. “Obviously playing for Serbia, for my country, is something completely different. It’s a huge responsibility and pressure, but also an incredible privilege and honour.

“I’m really glad that I was able to contribute with a crucial point to qualify for Malaga with this win.”

Djokovic trailed 1-4 in the second set against Davidovich Fokina but won the final five games to secure a straight-sets victory. He was broken on the only break point he faced in the match, but made up for it by converting on three of his five break chances. Djokovic finished a strong serving day with 10 aces and an 80 per cent win rate (33/41) on first serve.

“He was playing really aggressive, taking the ball early and not giving me much time,” the Serbian said of his opponent. “It was really tough, but when it mattered, I think I came up with the goods and played some good tennis.”

The 36-year-old is seeking to lead his nation to its second Davis Cup title, having helped Serbia to its first crown in 2010 and a runner-up finish in 2013.

Laslo Djere opened the tie with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Albert Ramos-Vinolas to give Serbia a 1-0 lead against hosts Spain, who are now eliminated from contention for the Final 8. The Serbian doubles team of Nikola Cacic and Miomir Kecmanovic completed a 3-0 sweep with a 6-4, 7-6(13) win against Davidovich Fokina and Marcel Granollers.

Serbia will face Czech Republic, who are also qualified for the Final 8, on Saturday to determine who finishes first in Group C.

Finland defeats Croatia in Group D

Match wins from Otto Virtanen and Emil Ruusuvuori earned Finland victory in its Group D matchup against Croatia on Friday. With the result, Finland improves to 1-1 in the Davis Cup Finals group stage, setting up what will function as a knockout tie against the United States (also 1-1) on Saturday.

🇫🇮 Emil Ruusuvuori defeats Borna Gojo and takes the tie to 2-0 💪#DavisCup | @tennisfi pic.twitter.com/vMUaarYkQC

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 15, 2023

The Netherlands, currently in first place in the group at 2-0, are now guaranteed a spot in the Final 8.

In Split, Virtanen opened Friday’s tie with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win against Croatia’s Dino Prizmic before Ruusuvuori made it 2-0 with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win against Borna Gojo.

Wins from Andy Murray and the doubles duo of Daniel Evans and Neal Skupski secured Great Britain a 2-1 Davis Cup victory against Switzerland on Friday in Manchester.

Murray earned a marathon three-set win against Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi to earn Great Britain a 1-0 lead in the tie. Following the match, Murray shared that Friday was also the day of his grandmother’s funeral, which he was not able to attend.

“Gran, that one’s for you,” an emotional Murray said to close his on-court interview.

The Briton defeated Riedi 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4 in a three-hour, 10-minute marathon. Murray led 5-2 in the opening set and had two set points on return at 5-3, and a further two in the first-set tie-break, but he was forced to rescue the rubber from a set down to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead.

Murray broke twice in each of the final two sets to secure his 33rd Davis Cup singles win, hitting his third ace of the match to seal the victory.

“Incredible to get through that one. It easily could have gone the other way,” said Murray, who had prepared to face Dominic Sticker before learning an hour before the match that he would contest his first Lexus ATP Head2Head matchup against Riedi. “It was ridiculous, the shots he was pulling off. Amazing returning. I kept fighting, managed to stay focused and managed to turn it around.”

Stan Wawrinka levelled the tie with a 7-5, 6-4 win against Cameron Norrie, before Evans and Skupski clinched victory for the hosts with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Dominic Stricker and Wawrinka.

Great Britain defeated Australia 2-1 to open their Davis Cup Finals campaign on Wednesday and now improves to 2-0, topping Group B.

Italy edges Chile in Bologna

A pair of comeback, three-set singles wins saw Italy triumph against Chile. Matteo Arnaldi opened the tie with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win against Cristian Garin, before Lorenzo Sonego secured the host nation’s win with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory against Nicolas Jarry.

The result leaves both Italy and Chile at 1-1 in Group A. Italy opened with an 0-3 defeat to Canada, while Chile swept Sweden 3-0 in its first tie.