Novak
Djokovic had to battle against Jiri Lehecka to defeat him 6-1, 6-7, 6-1 in the
second match of the series between Serbia and the Czech Republic in the United
Cup. In the first round, Marketa Vondrousova gave the Czechs an advantage by
defeating Olga Danilovic, and they will decide the series in the mixed doubles.
Two days
ago, Djokovic defeated Chinese player Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2, while Lehecka was
defeated by the same opponent, Zhang, despite starting with an advantage,
ending 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. 'Nole' and Lehecka had no previous matchups.
From the
beginning of the match, Djokovic had no trouble stopping Lehecka's aggressive
game. The Czech player usually tries to lengthen the points, but 'Nole'
dominated the rallies, taking the initiative to close out the points. Lehecka
won his first service game, leveling it at 1-1 at the start of the set, but he
lost the next five games consecutively. World No. 1 won 55% of the return
points and 74% of the points with his service, without facing any break points.
In the
second set, Djokovic again took advantage of his first break opportunity and
was 3-1 ahead. However, Djokovic experienced a low moment, especially with the
first serve, and Lehecka did not give him options in the return. The Czech
player won four consecutive games, and at 5-3, he had the opportunity to serve
to win the second set. Djokovic did not give up and returned the break. The set
extended to the tie-break, where Lehecka surprised 'Nole' with three
mini-breaks, ultimately leveling it at 7-6(3).
The Serbian
returned to his best level in the third set and did not face any break points.
Lehecka achieved an 82% first-service percentage but only won 33% of those
points and 0% with the second serve. The 24-time Grand Slam champion sought to
approach the net and shorten the points, and the Czech player had no response.
With two consecutive breaks, Djokovic closed out the match with a convincing
6-1, 6-7, 6-1.
With the
victory for Team Serbia, they leveled the series against the Czech Republic
1-1. In the first match of the day, the 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa
Vondrousova faced difficulties but eventually secured the victory 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
against world No. 121 Olga Danilovic. In the mixed doubles, Danilovic and
Djokovic will team up to face doubles players Miriam Kodziejova and Petr Nouza.