Djokovic wins first match since US Open, puts Serbia in a commending 2-0 lead against Greece

Novak Djokovic easily defeated Ioannis Xilas 6-0, 6-1 on Saturday to secure Serbia a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup match against Greece.

The 37-year-old, who is playing his first match since his third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin at the US Open.converted five of his seven break points to wrap up the match in just 45 minutes.

In an attempt to help Serbia win their World Group I match and move on to the Davis Cup Qualifiers the following year, the No. 4 player in the ATP Rankings, who won the Davis Cup with Serbia in 2010. Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Aristotelis Thanos 6-3, 6-3 to give Serbia a 1-0 lead earlier in the match.

This is Djokovic’s first match since losing to Alexei Popyrin in four sets during the US Open third round. In order to secure a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in November, he plans to regain his form in the last two months of the season. Nineteenth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin is the seven-time winner of the coveted season finale.

Casper Ruud defeated Jaime Faria 7-6(3), 6-2 to give Norway a 3-1 lead in their World Group I match against Portugal.

Earlier, Ruud and Viktor Durasovic defeated Francisco Cabral and Jaime Faria in the doubles rubber, 7-5, 6-3, to give Norway a 2-1 advantage.

Henrique Rocha and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer both gave outstanding efforts in yesterday’s tie on Friday.

Norway led 1-0 after a close three-set win against Faria by Wimbledon Boys’ singles winner Budkov Kjaer. Portugal, however, recovered thanks to Rocha, who upset Ruud and leveled the tie heading into Saturday’s matches by winning 6-3, 6-4, the biggest win of his career.