Djokovic beat Nadal at ATP Cup in Sydney

Novak Djokovic overpowered long-time rival Rafael Nadal and led Serbia to victory in the inaugural ATP Cup at Sydney yesterday. The world number two blasted the top-ranked Spaniard off court 6-2, 7-6. The world number 10 Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Serbia's Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 6-1 in the other singles.

A fresh Djokovic returned to Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena for the deciding doubles with Feliciano Lopez partnering Pablo Carreno Busta. Djokovic and Viktor Troicki, bounced back from a break down in the first set to romp home 6-3,



6-4 and ensure Serbia was the last country standing from the 24 that began the season-opening event.

The doubles drew the curtain on an event that proved a big hit with players and fans, dishing up competitive matches driven by the passion of athletes representing their home countries. Serbian Djokovik had won nine of their past 12 contests and been dominant over the years on hard courts  including a comfortable win against Nadal in the Australian Open final last year.