The U.S. Davis Cup team reacts to No. 338-ranked Ilija Bozoljac’s performance after he and Nenad Zimonjic stunned the top-ranked doubles team of the Bryan brothers, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), 5-7, 4-6, 15-13, to give Serbia a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. The 27-year-old Bozoljac primarily plays Futures and Challengers tournaments and had only won six ATP tour-level doubles matches coming into the contest.
“We’ve seen a lot of people in this competition rise up,” said U.S. captain Jim Courier. “You look at the numbers next to the guy’s career, you see the performance today, something doesn’t add up. You clearly see there was some inspiration, chemistry with Nenad on the court, and you say, ‘Too good.’”
Mike Bryan added: “I mean, he’s a guy we haven’t seen too much of on the tour. Asked a few questions of guys that have seen him play. Gave us a few things. But he served great all day. He actually was a stronger returner. There at the end he didn’t show any nerves, came up with the goods, especially on some of those 30-all points. We didn’t have a lot of chances to get in the point and work the point, see more of his abilities. But he did the X’s and O’s well.