Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov Get Warnings in Drama-Filled Match at the Davis Cup 2019

Russia knocks out Serbia in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup 2019 Finals with a 2-1 win after Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev pulled a thrilling victory of Novak Djokovic and Victor Troicki in a drama-filled deciding doubles match on Friday.

Andrey Rublev got Russia a perfect start by seeing off Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic 6-1, 6-2 in just 52 minutes in their first singles rubber. However, Novak Djokovic helped Serbia to get back into the match after he sealed a business-like 6-3, 6-3 win over Karen Khachanov in the second singles rubber, taking the match to go through the deciding doubles match.

Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki stepped in to face Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev in the final rubber of the tie. However, the Russians were all over the Serbians, winning the first set 6-4.

The drama then kicked off during the second set when Djokovic and Troicki got absolutely furious with the umpire and the linesman after a line call and overrule nightmare from both. A long row of over three minutes emanated at the net, leaving Djokovic and Rublev angry.

It got a little ugly after 3 games when the chair umpire made yet another big call against Serbia and Djokovic and Troicki were livid once again. The umpire overruled a serve that was clearly in and Novak Djokovic couldn’t contain himself as he thumped the ball into the crowd. The Serb also received a warning for ball abuse following his fiery reaction after getting broken.

The drama continued as Novak Djokovic took a medical time out to treat his elbow. Karen Khachanov then made a double fault on Serbia’s third set point to take the dramatic quarterfinal to the deciding set.

The match took another ugly turnaround as Karen Khachanov smashed the ball the crowd at 5-4 in the final set as Djokovic held a crucial service game. The Russian also received a warning for ball abuse.

The match could not have been tighter as neither team was able to break and the set went to the deciding tiebreaker. There was nothing to choose between the two teams as the tie ream was locked at 4-4. However, it was the Russian pair who held their nerve, saving 3 match points and winning the breaker 10-8 and taking the match and the tie with it to reach the last four.

With this victory, Russia books a place in the semifinals of the first edition of the revamped Davis Cup and will face Canada in the last four.