Flu Bug Knocks out Djokovic at Davis Cup
Sporting events are such a funny thing. They’re hyped up. People look forward to them. People speculate. And then they fall apart when a vital piece of the puzzle falls off the wagon. I think it’s something a lot of people don’t realize. Sports are a finely-tuned machine and when one of the cogs on the wheel slips off; well – the resulting match-up isn’t what everyone thought it was going to be.
Like the Russia/Serbia Davis Cup square dance. It certainly wasn’t the dance the Serbians anticipated after Novak Djokovic was forced to pull out due to the flu. On the heels of Djokovic’s exit was teammate Janko Tipsarevic with the same ailment.
Because of the puking rally in Serbia, the Russians have jumped out to a 2-0 lead, albiet with struggles.
Mikhail Youzhny triumped over Nenad Zimonjic 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and Nikolay Davydenko had to use all five sets in a see-saw match to finally defeat Viktor Troicki (6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2).
Djokovic is a probable player in doubles and Marat Safin is probably out because of a calf strain. The Russians haven’t been beaten in 14 home series dating back to 1995. Serbia may have just helped them out in its 15th.
