Novak Djokovic Yells at The Crowd While He Passes Kevin Anderson Test at ATP Cup 2020

The ATP men Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson kick-started their 2020 season on the Brisbane court of ATP  Cup. After Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic gave his team a 1-0 lead, Djokovic fought hard to defeat Anderson 7-6(5), 7-6(6). Both of them played high-quality tennis. Anderson displayed an incredible level of play. He was playing his first match since July 2019. 

Towards the end of the first set, Novak yelled at the crowd as they cheered in the midst of a rally. He was not pleased with that gesture, swiped his racquet through the air and shouted at the audience.

Set One

A solid opening game was produced by the Serb Novak Djokovic. He just dropped a point by netting the volley and also aced a serve. The best returner on ATP Tour Djokovic continued to play a clean game and broke Anderson’s serve to 15. Initially, the skyscraper from South Africa Anderson was lost in a labyrinth. And Djokovic progressed to give Team Serbia a 3-0 lead in the opening set.

It was Anderson’s first match since Wimbledon 2019 and aced a few serves to produce a hold at 3-1. Moments later Novak drove a forehand volley into Kevin’s court and delivered a quick hold at 4-1.

Anderson came up with some quality tennis on his serve for a 4-2 scoreline. With World Number two Djokovic making errors in his service game with unforced errors, the set was no more see-sawing. Anderson retrieved the opening break and was back on serve at 4-3.

Anderson played a tough service game as he came up with some brave shots to save four break points. The two men continued to hit hard from the baseline. However, a failed drop shot from the baseline from Djokovic gave Anderson a game point. With an unplayable volley, Anderson held his serve at 4-4.

Novak made a quick hold at 5-4, but the subsequent game was followed by a series of deuces. A smart challenge from Team South Africa on the right baseline settled the set at 5-5. Without wasting any time and within a blink of an eye, Djokovic produced a love hold at 6-5.

A tight game of tennis was depicted in the next game with Anderson saving a set point on his serve. With Novak making errors the set sailed into the tiebreak at 6-6.

A double fault from Kevin gave Serbia a 2-0 lead in the tiebreak. With a massive forehand winner from Anderson, the mini-break was retrieved at 3-2. The Serb argued with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani as he did not let him challenge the call.

A frustrated Novak yelled at the crowd with them cheering in the midst of the rally. He was not delighted with that gesture, swiped his racquet through the air and shouted at the audience. After a tight set of tennis, Djokovic was successful at pulling off the set at the third set point, 7-6(5).

Set Two

An ideal start from both the players as they exhibited quality tennis on their serves.

Anderson saved a break point at 3-3 with a courageous down the line stroke on Novak’s court. South Africa was leading in the second set by 4-3. A double fault from the Serb gave Anderson a chance to break him to love. However, a flurry of winners and a 192 km/h ace erased all the break points and later Djokovic produced a crucial hold at 4-4.

The men continued to cling onto there service games and the set wasn’t lopsided at any instant. The phenomenal tennis drove the set into the tiebreak once again.

The incredible ball striking gave Anderson the mini-break lead at 2-1 but Djokovic instantly broke back at 2-2. The South African team came across a set point at 6-5, but with the crowd cheering for Novak, Anderson netted the ball. Djokovic went on to close out the match at 7-6(6).