Serbia win to set up final clash with champions Czech Republic

THE Czech Republic will defend their Davis Cup title in the final against Serbia in November after Janko Tipsarevic beat Vasek Pospisil in the decisive rubber to earn the Serbs a 3-2 victory over Canada in Belgrade.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning a point against Canada's Milos Raonic. Picture: AFP/Getty

The reigning champions had already reached their second successive final by the end of the second day against Argentina when they took an unassailable 3-0 lead. So, although they lost their two rubbers yesterday, it was of no consequece as they completed a 3-2 win.

By contrast, the outcome of the match between Serbia and Canada came down to the final rubber.

Canada started day three leading 2-1 but world No 1 Novak Djokovic completed a straightforward victory over Milos Raonic 7-6 (7/1), 6-2, 6-2 to set up a winner-takes-all clash.

Tipsarevic is ranked 18 places ahead of the Canadian at 23rd in the world but on Friday he twice squandered a one-set lead as Milos Raonic claimed victory with a 10-8 final set.

He had no such difficulties yesterday as he completed a 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 7-6 (8/6) victory over Pospisil to send Serbia into the final in November.

Joining Great Britain in
the World Group next year after winning their play-offs are 28-times winners Australia, who returned to the elite level of the competition for the first time since 2007 following a 4-1 win in Poland. Also through are Netherlands, who beat Austria 4-0, Germany, who beat Brazil 4-1, Japan, who beat Colombia 3-2, Switzerland, who beat Ecuador 4-1, Belgium, who beat Israel 3-2 and Spain, who thrashed Ukraine 5-0.

Bernard Tomic secured the Australian win in Warsaw as he defeated Lukasz Kubot 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the decisive fourth rubber.