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Serbia grant Djokovic a rest, France whitewash Great Britain

World number two Novak Djokovic

Serbia granted Novak Djokovic a day off by completing a 3-0 victory over Spain in their Davis Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, while France whitewashed Great Britain to make the final four.

World number two Djokovic returned from an elbow injury with a straight-sets win on Saturday and watched from the stands as Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic produced a brilliant comeback to defeat Pablo Carreno Busta and Marc Lopez 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 4-6 6-2 in their doubles rubber.

After falling a set and a break down, the Serbian duo battled back to clinch a victory that sets up a semi-final against France, who also progressed without the need for play on Sunday thanks to Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut's triumph.

British pair Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray gave up breaks when serving to remain in the third set and match, Benneteau and Mahut running out 7-6 (9-7) 5-7 7-5 7-5 winners to keep their nation's hopes of a first title since 2001 alive.

Mahut's determination to see off Great Britain was clearly visible in the final set when he ended up in the stands after returning a smash and managed to send another shot back from there, although the point was wrapped up by the visitors.

Steve Johnson and Jack Sock kept United States in with a chance of making the semi-finals by winning a thrilling doubles encounter against Australian duo Sam Groth and John Peers, though they still trail 2-1.

Johnson and Sock recovered from losing the first set in Brisbane to take the lead, though they needed a decider to come out on top 3-6 6-3 6-2 2-6 6-3.

Sock must overcome Nick Kyrgios in the fourth rubber on Sunday if the US are to avoid elimination.

Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi sent Italy's tie into Sunday, but needed a fifth-set tie-break to down Belgium's Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-6 (8-6).

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