Tennis:Viktor Troicki sealed Serbia's first Davis Cup title with a straight-sets win over Michael Llodra in the decisive fifth rubber in Belgrade today.
Troicki, the world number 30, won 6-2 6-2 6-3 after Novak Djokovic had earlier levelled the tie with a similarly dominant win over Gael Monfils.
Troicki’s success sent a partisan home crowd into wild celebrations after the 24-year-old, who was born in the city, had been drafted in to replace Janko Tipsarevic for the do-or-die encounter.
Troicki responded with arguably the finest match of his young career as he revelled in the home support and outplayed a French opponent ranked seven places higher than him.
The mood inside the Belgrade Arena had already been stoked after an emotional 6-2 6-2 6-4 win from Djokovic, who wore his heart on his sleeve in typical style.
But it was Troicki, rather than the world number three, who will be remembered as the man who delivered Serbia their first Davis Cup crown after his stirring performance.