Djokovic sees off Simon as Serbia battle back to level Davis Cup final

Gael Monfils cruised past Janko Tipsarevic 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-0 to give France the opening match in Belgrade.

Djokovic, ranked third in the world, impressed as he won his sixth straight singles in Davis Cup to remain unbeaten this year.

Already under hyped expectations at home to lead Serbia to their first cup title in their first final, Djokovic responded to Tipsarevic's defeat by wrapping up the first two sets, including winning nine of ten games from 3-3.

Former top-six player Simon made Djokovic work to polish off the victory, finally succumbing on a fourth match point by sending a backhand wide.

"This is the Davis Cup final - you have to play each point and each match fully focused and the best you can," said Djokovic. "I played great, although I had a little trouble in the end which helped get him back into the game. The most important thing is that we won this point."

Monfils, also unbeaten in cup singles this year, overpowered Tipsarevic in just over two hours. He broke the Serb, who became visibly deflated in the last set in front of his hometown crowd, five times without dropping his own serve.

"The score looked easy, but it was tough," Monfils said. "I had to focus on all points to destroy him."

Tipsarevic, feeling the pressure, double-faulted in losing the opening games of the first and third sets. The veteran committed 38 unforced errors to 14 by Monfils, and looked a tad rusty in his first match in a month, during which he honeymooned in Abu Dhabi.

"I think he was nervous today, and did not play his usual way," Monfils said. "After the first set it was easier for me because Janko was under pressure."

Tipsarevic double-faulted on the first two points in nervously losing the opening game, and lost serve again in the fifth when he couldn't stay with Monfils in baseline rallies.

"The first game gave Gael the mental advantage because he knew I was nervous," Tipsarevic said. "I told myself, just get that service into the court and start playing. He just stood there, returning the balls and having to do nothing else."

The Serb, hero of the semi-final win over the Czech Republic, recovered somewhat in the second set, but failed to convert two break points at 1-1 and 3-3. Monfils then won the tie-breaker to lift his confidence further, as if he needed it after playing in three ATP finals in the last two months.

"If I won that tie-break, I think this would have been a different match for me," Tipsarevic said.

Another poorly timed double fault by Tipsarevic gifted the opening game of the third set to Monfils and he tore through it, sealing it with a forehand volley.

Today's doubles matches features Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki against Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra.

The reverse singles tomorrow will start with Djokovic taking on Monfils, followed by Tipsarevic against Simon.

France are seeking their tenth crown, but first since 2001.