Novak Djokovic inches closer to another Rafael Nadal record, Federer next in line

Novak Djokovic inches closer to another Rafael Nadal record, Federer next in line

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 on the ATP Tour, Novak Djokovic is battling for Serbia at the ongoing 2021 Davis Cup Finals and he might be the difference that could see his nation progress to the quarter-finals. Serbia has played both their matches and now need to hope other results go their way in order to move ahead.

After defeating Austria 3-0 in their campaign opener, they lost 1-2 to Germany in their final group-stage match. While Djokovic won the singles tie against Jan-Lennard Struff, his 7th straight win over the German, Filip Krajinovic lost against Dominic Koepfer meaning the doubles tie decided the winner and the German pair of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz got the better of Djokovic and Nikola Cacic in a thrilling final set tiebreaker.

Novak’s win over Struff was his 36th overall win of the competition which takes him closer to Rafael Nadal‘s record of 37 wins in the competition. While Germany is now favourite to defeat Austria and finish as the group leaders, a defeat could shake up the group and it could give Novak a chance to match and also try to go past Nadal.

Roger Federer is currently on 40 wins in the competition and will be a little relieved as even if Serbia make their way to the finals, Novak could possibly end with 39 wins and would need to come back next year in order to go past his fellow Big-3 member.

Novak Djokovic picked up his 17th consecutive win at the Davis Cup after win over Struff

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

After his 6-2, 6-4 win over Struff, Djokovic extended his record to 17th consecutive Davis Cup win in the singles discipline and his overall record is now at 36-7 in the competition in singles while having a 3-4 record in the doubles.

It was also his 53rd win of the season having a record of 53-7 for the season while being 9-1 on indoor hardcourts with his loss to Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the 2021 ATP Finals being the only defeat on indoor hardcourts this season.

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