Davis Cup: Djokovic, Murray’s paths could cross again
Kazakhstan, Japan stand in top two players’ way
PHOTO: FILE
PARIS:
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray can set up a Davis Cup quarter-final blockbuster if they successfully pilot Serbia and defending champions Great Britain through the first round.
However, the world’s top two players will go into their home clashes against Kazakhstan and Japan respectively this weekend with question marks over their fitness.
World number one Djokovic saw his streak of 17 successive finals come to an end in Dubai last week when an eye infection forced a quarter-final retirement.
Djokovic through to Federer semi at Australian Open
Murray, meanwhile, hasn’t hit a ball since losing to old rival Djokovic in the Australian Open final almost five weeks ago. The 28-year-old took February off after his wife gave birth to their first child.
Djokovic and world number 23 Viktor Troicki will play singles for the Serbs in Belgrade, while Kazakhstan’s top player is Mikhail Kukushkin, the world 79.
Murray, who led Great Britain to their first Davis Cup title in 79 years last November, said being a new father has not affected his sleep patterns. “I still practice hard and do all the same things I was doing before,” he said. “I will find out if it is different on Friday or not.”
The key clash in Birmingham could come on Sunday when Murray takes on Japan’s top player, Kei Nishikori, the world number six.
Australian Open: Djokovic, Serena declared top seeds
‘Standby’ Hewitt downplays playing chance
Retired two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt has poured cold water on local fans’ hopes he might return to the court for Australia’s Davis Cup opener against the United States after Nick Kyrgios was ruled out of the tie due to a virus.
The 35-year-old team captain made himself available for Davis Cup duty on Thursday after Kyrgios’ withdrawal. However, Hewitt said there was ‘zero’ chance he would play in Melbourne with Sam Groth and Bernard Tomic named to play the singles rubbers against John Isner and Jack Sock.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2016.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray can set up a Davis Cup quarter-final blockbuster if they successfully pilot Serbia and defending champions Great Britain through the first round.
However, the world’s top two players will go into their home clashes against Kazakhstan and Japan respectively this weekend with question marks over their fitness.
World number one Djokovic saw his streak of 17 successive finals come to an end in Dubai last week when an eye infection forced a quarter-final retirement.
Djokovic through to Federer semi at Australian Open
Murray, meanwhile, hasn’t hit a ball since losing to old rival Djokovic in the Australian Open final almost five weeks ago. The 28-year-old took February off after his wife gave birth to their first child.
Djokovic and world number 23 Viktor Troicki will play singles for the Serbs in Belgrade, while Kazakhstan’s top player is Mikhail Kukushkin, the world 79.
Murray, who led Great Britain to their first Davis Cup title in 79 years last November, said being a new father has not affected his sleep patterns. “I still practice hard and do all the same things I was doing before,” he said. “I will find out if it is different on Friday or not.”
The key clash in Birmingham could come on Sunday when Murray takes on Japan’s top player, Kei Nishikori, the world number six.
Australian Open: Djokovic, Serena declared top seeds
‘Standby’ Hewitt downplays playing chance
Retired two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt has poured cold water on local fans’ hopes he might return to the court for Australia’s Davis Cup opener against the United States after Nick Kyrgios was ruled out of the tie due to a virus.
The 35-year-old team captain made himself available for Davis Cup duty on Thursday after Kyrgios’ withdrawal. However, Hewitt said there was ‘zero’ chance he would play in Melbourne with Sam Groth and Bernard Tomic named to play the singles rubbers against John Isner and Jack Sock.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2016.