Djokovic Propels Serbia into Davis Cup Quarter-finals, Britain win

Novak succeeded in qualifying for the quarter-finals (Reuters)
Novak succeeded in qualifying for the quarter-finals (Reuters)
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Djokovic Propels Serbia into Davis Cup Quarter-finals, Britain win

Novak succeeded in qualifying for the quarter-finals (Reuters)
Novak succeeded in qualifying for the quarter-finals (Reuters)

Novak Djokovic made a winning return to action following his US Open triumph, as the world number one helped Serbia book their place in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup on Friday with a group stage victory over hosts Spain.

Playing just five days after lifting his 24th Grand Slam title in New York, Djokovic overcame the hot and humid conditions early on and recovered from 4-1 down in the second set to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 6-4 in Valencia.

The result secured an unassailable 2-0 lead for Serbia after Laslo Djere beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4 6-4 in the first match of the Group C tie and secured a tie in the last eight in Malaga, which will take place in November.

"I'm on cloud nine, as you can see with everything that's has been happening lately on the tennis court," Djokovic said following his 13th straight match victory, Reuters reported.

"Playing for Serbia, for my country, is something completely different. It's a huge responsibility and pressure but also an incredible privilege and honour, so I'm really glad that I was able to contribute with a crucial point to qualify for Malaga.

"Obviously unfortunate for the Spanish crowd, they wanted Spain to win but I think we did really well ... and now we'll try against the Czech Republic tomorrow to clinch top spot in the group to hopefully get a better draw."

Djokovic said he was fully committed to helping the 2010 Davis Cup champions in their quest for a second title in the premier men's team competition.

"It was all happening really quickly within a few days and I was on a high with the US Open win and the celebration at home and leaving my family is never easy but coming to another family - my Serbian squad - gives me the greatest of joy," he added.

"At the beginning of the season I said the Grand Slams and playing for my country were my priorities. I want to contribute as much as I can. Here we are, the goal is reached, we're in the last eight. Hopefully we can keep going in the right direction."

Over in Manchester, an emotional Andy Murray gave Britain a 1-0 lead over Switzerland by outlasting Leandro Riedi 6-7(7) 6-4 6-4 and later revealed he missed his grandmother's funeral to play in the Group B clash. read more

Veteran Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years to level the tie by beating Cameron Norrie 7-5 6-4 and returned to play the doubles rubber alongside Dominic Stricker, but the Swiss were no match for Dan Evans and Neal Skupski who prevailed 6-3 6-3.

In Group A, Italy delighted home fans in Bologna by taking a 2-0 lead over Chile as Matteo Arnaldi downed Cristian Garin 2-6 6-4 6-3 and Lorenzo Sonego overcame Nicolas Jarry 3-6 7-5 6-4.

Finland handed Croatia their second defeat in Group D with Otto Virtanen getting past Dino Prizmic 6-4 3-6 6-3 and Emil Ruusuvuori beating Borna Gojo 7-6(3) 6-4 in Split. The result meant the Netherlands advanced to the knockouts.



‘Flooding Rains’ Threaten to Dampen Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Spectators are seen behind the Eiffel Tower ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Spectators are seen behind the Eiffel Tower ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Reuters)
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‘Flooding Rains’ Threaten to Dampen Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Spectators are seen behind the Eiffel Tower ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Spectators are seen behind the Eiffel Tower ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Reuters)

The Paris Olympics look likely to get off to a soggy start.

Meteo-France, the French weather service, is predicting “flooding rains” Friday evening when the opening ceremony is set to unroll along the Seine River. But the show is set to go on as planned, starting at 1:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. CEST and should last more than three hours.

Already in the late afternoon, skies were gray with intermittent drizzle. There was a silver lining, though, with temperatures expected to stay relatively warm throughout the evening.

Instead of a traditional march into a stadium, about 6,800 athletes will parade on more than 90 boats on the Seine River for 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). Though 10,700 athletes are expected to compete at these Olympics, hundreds of soccer players are based outside Paris, surfers are in Tahiti and many have yet to arrive for their events in the second week, organizers said Thursday.

Hundreds of thousands of people, including 320,000 paying and invited ticket-holders, are expected to line the Seine’s banks as athletes are paraded along the river on boats.