TENNIS: Novak Djokovic teams up with brother Djordje for first doubles win
The siblings won a thriller 7-6 (5), 6-7 (6), 10-5 at the China Open
World no.1 Novak Djokovic, 28, and his younger brother Djordje, 20, put on an impressive display to defeat the Chinese-New Zealand pairing of Gong Mao-Xin and Michael Venus in Beijing.
It was the first time the two had played together professionally and they clearly enjoyed themselves in front of an adoring crowd.
'It was exciting. I'm very happy for my brother, that he was able to experience such an atmosphere,' said Novak.
'He never played in a big stadium. We enjoyed it very much, encouraging each other to the first win'.
Novak is incredibly popular in China and has won the singles trophy here five times, with a 25-0 winning record so far. Earlier in the day, he made a superb start to his title defence, giving short shrift to the Italian Simone Bolelli 6-1, 6-1.
The 10-time Grand Slam champion has played with his other sibling Marko before, but without much success. Djordje is just beginning to make his way in the tennis world - he has a singles ranking of 1,502 - and Novak has spoken enthusiastically before of his talent for the game.
The brothers will next be taking on the 2014 Wimbledon champions Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock.
We both wave waited a lifetime to team up. I'm glad I get to have you @djole_djokovic on this side of the net :) pic.twitter.com/iDGEyHXCO2
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 6, 2015
Glad to have my brothers @DjokoMare @djole_djokovic here with me #solucky pic.twitter.com/tN4F7lyRd6
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 3, 2015