Novak Djokovic will step out shortly to take on Marin Cilic and the Serbian will once again have to play heroics if Serbia hopes to move to the final. Today could be quite tricky with Mektic & Pavic waiting in the doubles match but first Djokovic will need to win the 2nd singles match. The first one saw Dusan Lajovic take on Gojo and early on it was an error fest by both.
Lajovic entered the match in terrible rhythm finding himself down 1-4 early as Gojo proved better. The Croatian was not that much better and he soon gave the break right back after which he fell apart, quite literally. He lost 13 points in a row and lost the opening set with 4-6 but in reality, he gave it away. Neither player played well and we saw 10 winners and 40 unforced errors combined.
The level picked up as the match went on with both playing a bit better but overall Lajovic was still very shaky. Gojo came out focused in the 2nd set taking a 3-0 lead. Lajovic found a bit of form later on pulling it back to 3-2 with a chance to make it 3-3 but he dropped his serve once again. After that, he did not have enough to come back and Gojo won the 2nd 6-3.
The Serbian's struggles continued in the 3rd set as he was never able to fully find a rhythm. Errors kept happening both from the forehand and backhand and Gojo was able to take a lead once more. The Croatian was able to find some timely serves as well and cruised rather easily to a 6-2 finish. A huge point for Croatia in a very important match for them.
#279 Borna Gojo continues to be one of the MVPs of the 2021 Davis Cup Finals, beating #33 Dusan Lajovic (now 18-29 in 2021) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to put Croatia one win away from the final. Djokovic-Cilic (17-2 h2h) next, but Croatia now favorites because of the doubles rubber!
