Argentina Leads Defending Champs 2-0

© AFP/Getty ImagesDavid Nalbandian, who made his Davis Cup debut in 2002, won Argentina's opening rubber on Friday.

SERBIA 0, ARGENTINA 2
If defending Davis Cup champion Serbia is to return to the final, it will have to overcome a 0-2 deficit against a hungry Argentine squad looking to lift its country’s first trophy.

After David Nalbandian crafted an impressive performance against Viktor Troicki to give Argentina a 1-0 lead, Juan Martin del Potro extended his country’s advantage by defeating Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday in Belgrade. "I served really well today. It's maybe one of my best matches of the season," del Potro declared.

Watch Del Potro Interview | Watch Tipsarevic Interview

Del Potro, coming off a third-round loss at the US Open, won 79 per cent of his service points, firing 10 aces along the way. He broke Tipsarevic once in each set and saved the lone break point he faced to take the rubber in two hours and 31 minutes, improving to a 3-0 record against the Serbian. "I played better in the important moments," said del Potro. "I closed the match with my serve and I feel very confident with all of my game."

In the first rubber, Nalbandian seized his opportunity to put Argentina ahead. The former World No. 3 dismantled Troicki, a late replacement for World No. 1 and newly crowned US Open titlist Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 52 minutes. Djokovic decided earlier on Friday to skip the opening singles rubber due to a back injury. "I played great," assessed Nalbandian. "I think I played solid from the baseline and that was one of the good things with my game. I feel I'm in good shape and I'm happy to give Argentina the first point."

Watch Nalbandian Interview | Watch Troicki Interview

Nalbandian, currently No. 74 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings, withstood 15 aces and 42 aces from Troicki's racquet to record his 22nd win in 27 singles rubbers for Argentina.

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