‘It’s a huge disappointment’

Novak Djokovic said he accepts responsibility for Serbiarsquos Davis Cup semifinal defeat to Italy on Saturday night after failing to convert three match points against Jannik SinnerThe World No 1 had his Italian counterpart on the ropes in the second singles rubber at 54 up but allowed Sinner to recover and win 62 26 75 to force the doubles deciderDjokovic and Miomir Kecmanovic who had won the opening singles rubber against Lorenzo Musetti were defeated by Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego 63 64 and leave Malaga disappointed ldquoFor me personally itrsquos a huge disappointment because I take the responsibility obviously having three match points being so close to win itrdquo Djokovic told reportersAlso ReadSunday races postponed due to rainlsquoItrsquos unfortunatersquoldquoYeah itrsquos unfortunate really This is sport When you lose for your country you know the bitter feeling is even greaterrdquo Djokovic said it was ldquotough to swallowrdquo the defeat in a competition he was desperate to win with Serbia for the second time after their only triumph in 2010 which he was part ofThe 36yearold Serb a record 24time menrsquos Grand Slam winner said he thought world number four Sinnerrsquos level might dip but the Italian was relentlessldquoI know Jannikrsquos quality but you know I was thinking maybe hersquos gonna drop a little bit you know in the doubles but he didnrsquotrdquo said DjokovicSinner a clear winnerldquoHe kept the level extremely high and at the end of the singles match also third set I had a lot of chances to break him and was in his service games but every time he needed he found the serverdquoDjokovic congratulated Sinner who has now beaten him three times in four matches across 11 days Sinner won in the ATP Finals group stage last week but Djokovic responded by beating the Italian to win the trophy ldquoThey deserved it they played really well particularly Jannik in singles against me and then doubles as wellrdquo added Djokovic ldquoHe barely missed the ball the entire match you can only say congratsrdquoJannik SinnerIt means a lot for us Italyrsquos Jannik SinnerA ldquoproudrdquo Jannik Sinner beat World No 1 Novak Djokovic twice in one day to send Italy into the Davis Cup final with a 21 win over Serbia on Saturday in Malaga Italy who won the trophy for the first and only time in 1976 will face 28time winners Australia on Sunday ldquoFor me itrsquos the first time we can play a final in Davis Cup it means a lot for us I have to be really proud about how I handled the situationrdquo said SinnerThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever