MALAGA, Spain — Miomir Kecmanovic beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1 to offer Serbia a 1-0 lead over Italy of their Davis Cup semifinal on Saturday.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will play fourth-ranked Jannik Sinner within the second singles match. Sinner should win to maintain Italy alive and drive doubles.

Musetti had gained their two earlier conferences in straight units. The Italian recovered from an early break to win a first-set tiebreaker. But Kecmanovic acquired stronger because the match went on and closed him out in a lopsided third set.

It would be the third assembly between Djokovic and Sinner in 12 days. Sinner beat Djokovic within the ATP Finals group stage, however Djokovic acquired revenge when he beat Sinner within the last to earn a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title on Sunday.

Djokovic helped Serbia win its first and solely Davis Cup title in 2010. On Thursday, he grew to become the outright most profitable Serbian participant within the historical past when he beat Cameron Norrie for his forty fourth victory within the competitors.

Serbia is searching for its first last since 2013 when it misplaced to the Czech Republic in Belgrade.

PHOTOS: Serbia leads Italy 1-0 in Davis Cup semifinals. Djokovic to face Sinner in 2nd singles

Italy’s solely title was in 1976. Its final last was in 1998.

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