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SPORTS Saturday 11 January 2020
Spain edges

Belgium to reach

ATP Cup semifinals

By JOHN PYE to clinch a semifinal spot
AP Sports Writer for Serbia against Russia.
SYDNEY (AP) — Rafael Dusan Lajovic had earlier
Nadal lost a singles match beaten Felix Auger-Alias-
for only the second time sime 6-4, 6-2 and so Djokov-
since July, and was two ic's win sealed the vic-
points from another defeat tory ahead of the doubles
not long after that would match, giving Serbia a spot
have ended Spain's run at in the semifinals. Serbia won
the ATP Cup. the doubles to complete a
But after losing to David 3-0 sweep.
Goffin 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the The night session was see-
singles on Friday, the top- sawing encounter until the Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to missing a shot against David Goffin of Belgium during their ATP Cup
ranked Nadal combined end. tennis match in Sydney, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.
with Pablo Carreno Busta to Roberto Bautista Agut had Associated Press
win the deciding doubles in given Spain a 1-0 lead
a match tiebreaker against when he continued his run 7-5, 10-7. lasting 2 1/2 hours. team environment, with his
Belgium. The victory just of straight-set wins with a Nadal went into the singles Dusan Lajovic had earlier teammates and coaches
after 1 a.m. in Sydney put 6-1, 6-4 victory over Kimmer match as the big favorite, beaten Felix Auger-Alias- on the side of the court,
Davis Cup champion Spain Coppejans, a late replace- having lost only one match sime 6-4, 6-2 and so Djokov- and the echo of "Nole,
into the semifinals against ment for Belgium playing — to Alexander Zverev in ic's win sealed the vic- Nole, Nole" going around
host Australia. captain Steve Darcis. the round-robin stage of tory ahead of the doubles the stadium.
"David played a great Nadal didn't drop a set in the ATP Finals — since his match, giving Serbia a spot Shapovalov complained
match. Better than me. I three group-stage singles Wimbledon semifinal loss to in the semifinals. Serbia won about the noise made as
was suffering a lot physi- matches in Perth in the new Roger Federer. the doubles to complete a he served a double-fault
cally today. Was big hu- international team compe- The 11th-ranked Goffin 3-0 sweep. to fall behind 4-0 in the tie-
midity," Nadal said. "But at tition, but was unable to took it to Nadal, attacking "That was so close, it could breaker, and the umpire
the same time is fair to say break down a free-swing- at every opportunity and have gone in a different asked the crowd to keep
that we are in the worst po- ing Goffin in Sydney. shutting down his rival's op- way easily. (Shapovalov) quiet during the service
sition to play the final eight, He appeared fatigued tions. was playing terrific tennis," motion.
because we came from at times in the singles, "Oh, it's always big when Djokovic said. "It felt, not a He was agitated during the
Perth. That's these three and again in the doubles you play Rafa on a big little bit, fully like I'm playing match but didn't complain
hours' time changing, dif- against Sander Gille and stadium, night session, at home." later, saying he was getting
ferent weather conditions, Joran Vliegen, dropping you play for your country," Djokovic, who has won a more comfortable taking
playing against a team the first set in a tiebreak- Goffin said. "We were 1-0 record seven Australian on Djokovic and the other
that have been here for er. The Belgians were two down, I had to step out on Open men's singles titles, top players.
the last 10 days. points from victory at 5-4 the court and try to fight, to went 3-0 in the group stage "With my confidence right
"And today we had very on Busta's serve but the show what I can do to play in Brisbane. now, with my game, I really
heavy conditions out there, Spanish players rallied and my best tennis, try to go, to "I'm mean, Brisbane we had feel that I can take it to any-
so probably we had the got the decisive break stick to my line, try to dic- amazing support — but this one, and I feel like against
worst situation possible to when the chair umpire tate, be aggressive. has taken it to a different anyone I have a chance
play this tie. We are super ruled that Vliegen's racket "That's what I did. So a level," Djokovic said. "All to win," Shapovalov said.
happy that finally we find a encroached over the net match like this, to win the Serbian people came "Today again, it's another
way to be in that semifinals, as he volleyed. Spain con- against Rafa, it's something out today." step for me, showing me
and tomorrow is another verted the break with that big, something big for me." The constant chants and that I'm right there with
day." point, and Nadal served Djokovic lost a set for the even a burst of trumpet these guys. Honestly, I was
Second-ranked Novak out to level the match. first time in the tournament, from the flag-waving Ser- a couple points away from
Djokovic had a comeback In the end, Nadal's big-time but managed to hold off bian fans certainly helped taking the match. So, yeah,
4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4 ) win over De- experience helped Spain Shapovalov, controlling the Djokovic. The 16-time major I think I'm at a really good
nis Shapovalov of Canada clinch the doubles 6-7 (7), tiebreaker after three sets champion reveled in the position."q

Williams and Wozniacki reach Auckland semifinals

AUCKLAND, New Zealand lia Goerges 6-1, 6-4 in the to reach their first doubles the singles final on Sunday, beat Siegemund. She was
(AP) — Serena Williams and quarterfinals. final. The pair, close friends, then will have to combine able to step up on crucial
Caroline Wozniacki both Both players will face are playing doubles to- in the doubles final. points, converting three of
advanced to the singles American opponents in gether for the first time in "I've done it before with my her five break points.
semifinals at the ASB Classic the semifinals on Saturday; their careers. sister (Venus) and we're still Siegemund, who beat
on Friday, then extended Wozniacki will play Jessica Wozniacki will retire after really close so I'm sure me American teenager Coco
their first-time partnership Pegula and Williams will the Australian Open and, and Caroline will still be su- Gauff in the second round,
to reach the doubles final. play Amanda Anisimova. with Williams, snatched the per close," Williams said. stretched Williams with her
Williams beat Laura Siege- Williams and Wozniacki last chance of their long Williams had to overcome variety and placement but
mund 6-4, 6-3 and Wozni- then combined to beat careers to play doubles. a swirling wind on center couldn't match the 23-time
acki defeated two-time Kristen Flipkens and Alison Friday's results raise the pos- court to come from a break Grand Slam champion's
defending champion Ju- van Uytvanck 7-6 (9), 6-2 sibility the pair will meet in down in the second set to power from the baseline.q