After the USA’s triumph yesterday in doubles, Novak Djokovic was forced to win it on his racket. Unfortunately for the Serb, John Isner really brought it to the current world no. 2 this afternoon in Belgrade.

Djokovic struggled early on his serve, which made it a long day at the office for the Serb against the big-serving American. Luckily the Serb has other things to rely on. After a couple of broken rackets and a code violation, the Serb eventually prevailed with a 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 triumph after being on the court for 4 hours and 16 minutes. The Serbs now progress into their first Davis Cup quarterfinal.

The US actually played pretty well this weekend without its veterans and on clay. I have been frustrated with the development of the current crop of American players – a group of players with big serves and forehands and nothing else, who ridiculously do not play on clay. Sam Querrey and especially John Isner played pretty admirably this weekend, so let’s hope Isner and Querrey can build on this experience.

Sunday's Results
R4 - Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4
R5 - Sam Querrey (USA) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-5 6-2

(Images: AP)

Viktor Troicki and Novak Djokovic cleared their openers against John Isner and Sam Querrey respectively today in Belgrade. Troicki put in an admirable performance in his upset against Isner.

The Americans faced an uphill battle from the beginning since the Davis Cup tie is played on clay, and I guess American men do not play on clay anymore. They could have been in a sweet spot if Isner had beaten Troicki. The Bryan brothers are handle themselves on clay, so a 2-1 lead could have been possible.

Now, the only way for an American victory is a total Serbian implosion. Nenad Zimonjic has been a nemesis for the Bryan brothers, but he is without his partner, Daniel Nestor. Even if the Serbs lose in doubles tomorrow, Djokovic should be able to put away Isner on Sunday.

Serbia vs. USA
Friday’s Results
R1 – Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4
R2 – Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 6-2 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3

Saturday’s Match
R3 – N. Zimonjic (SRB)/J. Tipsarevic (SRB) vs. M. Bryan (USA)/B. Bryan (USA)

(Images: AP)

Usually John Isner gives a lot of players trouble, as we witnessed when he beat Roddick on Saturday night. Fernando Verdasco was patient and able to hang with the big guy and his serve. After losing the first set, he picked apart the American’s game and rallied to secure his quarterfinal appearance at 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.

The Spaniard played well, and we got a glimpse of the player who took Australia by storm earlier this year. He now waits for the winner of tonight’s Djokovic-Stepanek match.

(Image: AP)

Tommy Robredo asks server James Blake for a little more time before receiving. Robredo eventually stopped the American’s forward progress in the tournament by beating him 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 in Saturday’s night match.

Robredo will now have the opportunity to meet Roger Federer in the round of 16. Federer leads their matchup 8-0. Good luck to the Spaniard in tomorrow’s match.

In other match news, John Isner and his big serve sent fifth-seed Andy Roddick home last evening in a five-set serving thriller. Isner will face Fernando Verdasco, who had his own five-set thriller. The two players have never played in ATP or grand slam action.

Thanks, Mrs. M & Family!
(Image: Denise/tennnisfiend)

City: Houston, Texas, USA
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Marcel Granollers
2008 Doubles Champions: Ernest Gulbis/Rainer Schuettler

Marcel Granollers will be on hand to defend his title. James Blake, Mardy Fish and Lleyton Hewitt will also be there. The tournament is on clay, so there will probably be no trouble from them. Look for Jeremy Chardy to cause a little bit of trouble in the top part of the draw. Also, there is always a possibility that Guillermo Canas could awake from his tennis slumber and surprise someone.

Ernest Gulbis and Rainer Schuettler will not defend their title. The Bryan Brothers, Fisher/Kerr, Ker/Damm and Huss/Hutchins will all be in the mix. Parrott/Polasek are having a good year, but Filip Polasek is not playing in the tournament. Travis Parrott is instead teamed up with the big, serving John Isner. This pairing could be interesting.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Monday’s Matches
Qualifying Third Round
Donald Young (USA) vs. Scoville Jenkins (USA)
Michael Russell (USA) vs. Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
Alexander Peya (AUT) vs. Jesse Levine (USA)
Amer Delic (USA) vs. Giovanni Lapentti (ECU)

Singles First Round
3 Juergen Melzer (AUT) vs. Robert Kendrick (USA)
8 Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) vs. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
Wayne Odesnik (USA) vs. Kevin Anderson (RSA)
Evgeny Korolev (RUS) vs. Leonardo Mayer (ARG)

Doubles First Round
D. Martin (USA)/S. Querrey (USA) vs. J. Isner (USA)/T. Parrott (USA)
J. Blake (USA)/M. Fish (USA) vs. A. Delic (USA)/R. Kendrick (USA)

Monday’s Order of Play

(Image: Emily Jaschke)