Davis Cup: already back, Novak Djokovic sends Serbia to the final phase and ejects Spain

Just five days after his historic coronation at the US Open, Novak Djokovic confirmed the qualification of Serbia for the “final 8” of the Davis Cup and ejected Spain, deprived of Carlos Alcaraz, on Friday in Valencia (Spain ).

Again in New York on Sunday, crowned with a 24th Grand Slam title, already back in competition in Valencia on Friday: Djokovic brought his team the winning point (2-0) at the expense of the Spaniards, and that of qualification for the final phase in Malaga (Spain) in November, by mastering Alejandro Davidovich (25th) in two sets (6-3, 6-4). Before that, Laslo Djere (37th) had beaten Albert Ramos (95th), also in two controlled sets (6-4 6-4). And, to start the group stage, Serbia, without mobilizing “Djoko”, dominated South Korea 3-0 on Tuesday.

For Spain, it's a grimace soup. Without Alcaraz, her new nugget who gave up participating after her defeat in the last four of the US Open, she misses out on qualifying for the final phase at home. With two defeats in two duels, against Serbia, and against the Czech Republic 3-0 on Wednesday, the host country of the “final 8” is eliminated even before the end of the group stage. The Czech Republic is guaranteed to be the other qualified team from Group C.

The group stage is organized around four groups of four teams, in four different cities, Bologna (Italy), Split (Croatia) and Manchester (Great Britain) and therefore Valencia. The first two teams from each group qualify for the final phase scheduled for November 21 to 26 in Malaga.