Novak Djokovic lost 2-6, 6-2, 5-7 in the match against Jannik Sinner, then lost the men’s doubles match, causing Serbia to lose 1-2 to Italy in the Davis Cup semi-finals.

Having won against Sinner in the ATP Finals, Djokovic came very close to achieving the same result in the singles match at the Davis Cup. When the score was 5-4 in the third set for Nole, he led 40-0 in the return game and had three match points but missed them all. In the very next game, Djokovic lost the deciding service game, leading to a 5-7 defeat.

Djokovic was disappointed after losing an important point in the third set against Sinner in Malaga, Spain on November 25. Photo: DC

The loss was somewhat bitter as Djokovic played better than his junior in the last two sets, holding the game firmly and only making mistakes in the deciding game. He couldn’t save his only break point in the final set, and Sinner saved all five. From down 4-5, 0-40, Sinner won 13 of 16 points to end the match.

Djokovic’s defeat against Sinner prevented Serbia from settling the semi-finals soon. Previously, Djokovic’s compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. The 1-1 draw after two singles matches forced the two teams to enter the deciding doubles match.

Djokovic is paired with Kecmanovic, while Sinner continues to play with Lorenzo Sonego. After losing 3-6 in the first set, the Serbian pair had a chance to advance in the second set when they led 40-0 in the return game when the score was 3-3. But Djokovic and Kecmanovic missed a series of break points, then lost the next game and eventually lost 3-6, 4-6.

Djokovic’s two losses caused Serbia to be eliminated, and Italy entered the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1998. His country’s team has only won the prestigious team tournament once in 1976. In today’s final 26/ 11, Italy faces Australia – last year’s runner-up.