With the score poised at 1-1 after the opening day of the Davis Cup semi-final between Serbia and Canada in Belgrade, it was the turn of doubles to take centre stage on Saturday.
Home pair Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic faced the hugely experienced Daniel Nestor – who has partnered Zimonjic to three Grand Slam titles – and Vasek Pospisil of Canada.
In a pulsating opening set, Canada seemed to be in control when they opened up a 6-3 lead in the tie break.
But the Serbs came roaring back, reeling off five straight points to take it 8-6 for a one set lead.Nestor and Pospisil were not to be subdued.
They duly took the second set 6-3 and were very much in contention as the third set unfolded – the superb reflexes of Nestor at the net often helping them win crucial points.
Again though, the Serbian pair clawed back the initiative and took a 2-1 set lead in taking the third set 6-3.
A fourth set tie-break galvanised the Canadian pair who fought to take the match into a fifth set – the big serving Pospisil firing down a brutal ace on set point.
Inevitably, there was little to choose between the pairings as the fifth set got underway, and with a further tie-break out of the question, a marathon match unfolded.
Games went with serve until the tiring Zimonjic sliced a lacklustre backhand into the net on his serve, giving the Canadian pair a break – and a glimmer of hope.
Pospisil duly held firm on his own serve – a clinical volley from Nestor on match point proving too much for Zimonjic to reach.
The 6-7(6), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-8 win put Canada 2-1 ahead with two rubbers yet to be played.
