Team Serbia already clinched the tie (generally solid fist-pumpy match from Ana, unbeatable stuff from Nole) but a clean sweep over Australia would mean they only had to win one match in their next tie against Belgium to make the finals. With that Justine chick lurking, getting two wins wouldn't be a Slam dunk. So in the grand scheme of things (as grand as exos can be, really) the mixed rubber against Australia was kind of huge.
Things started out fine, as Ana and Nole were pretty laid back and giggly. But Australia was taking this all seriously and shit and the sitch got real pretty quick. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak, the Serbs looked pretty much done. Nole couldn't hit a return in to save his lif and the only way they kept it close was...wait for it...BECAUSE ANA WAS NAILS. Yes, Serbian Barbie was pretty much carrying this team through much of the match (uh...which was why they were losing, frankly) with some absolute pwnage of Lleyton's serve. Even I felt embarassed for him. She was killing the ball.
But late in the second set fatigue seemed to set in for both Serbs and it looked like Australia was going to be able to close out the match fairly easily. Ana wasn't moving for balls and Nole couldn't execute for shit. But then, all of a sudden, the two played some pretty impeccable tennis for 20 minutes and were able to come back from a break down to win the second set and then take the super tie-break.
They were, deservedly, pleased.
(Pics: Forty Deuce)
