Serbia wins the Davis Cup title for the first time with a 3-2 victory over France in Belgrade. Down 1-2 going into Sunday, Serbia got victores from Novak Djokovic, who beat Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, and Viktor Troicki, who topped Michael Llodra 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Troicki was subbed in on Sunday morning by Serbian captain Bogdan Obradovic, who decided that Janko Tipsarevic—was crushed by Monfils on Friday and had been injured much of the fall—wasn't up to the task.
Troicki responded brilliantly against the serve-and-volleying Llodra, breaking the Frenchman eight times and only allowing Llodra to convert 10 of 41 of his net approaches.
"This was the most intense match of my life and to win it in front of the home crowd is the best possible way," Troicki said. "I was remembering when I was a child how I was dreaming one day to play such a match, such an important match for my country. Today I was lucky enough."
After the match ended, all the Serbian players, as well as Serbian Tennis Federation president Slobodan Zivojinovic, and coach Niki Pilic, had their heads shaved on court. Serbian WTA stars Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic also attended the tie.
"To be able to perform as well as we did today under the circumstances is just I think too good,” said Djokovic. "In history, [this is] one of the best sport results this country ever had. This is by far individually and team the best achievements in our career by far. This is like winning the World Cup for us."—Matthew Cronin