Davis Cup: Serbia Beats Lithuania 4-0 in Nis, Milic Wins
Serbia defeated Lithuania 4-0 in Nis to stay in Davis Cup World Group I, and Ognjen Milic picked up his first win for the national team in the weekend's last match.
The result at Cair Hall was already settled, but one more match that still meant something was left to play on Sunday. Ognjen Milic took the court against Lithuania’s Pijus Vaitiekunas after Serbia had already clinched the third, decisive point in the doubles, so his match could no longer change the outcome of the tie. For Milic himself, though, it carried its own weight, it was his first win in a Serbia jersey. He won 6:2, 6:2, pushing the final score in Nis to 4:0.
The final result of the Davis Cup World Group I tie was 4:0 for Serbia, securing the team’s place in the elite tier of the competition for next season. The match against Lithuania was played on September 19 and 20 at Cair Hall.
How Serbia Reached 4-0
The singles matches decided things on the first day. Miomir Kecmanovic beat Edas Butvilas in a tight contest, 7:5, 1:6, 7:5, after two hours and nine minutes on court. Hamad Medjedovic was more comfortable, defeating Vilius Gaubas 6:4, 6:4 in a little over an hour and a half. Serbia went into the second day with a 2:0 lead.
As we reported after the first day, the doubles match was left to settle the question of who would advance, and that is exactly what happened on Sunday. The pairing of Miomir Kecmanovic and Stefan Latinovic fought hard to beat the Lithuanian duo of Edas Butvilas and Vilius Gaubas 7:6 (5), 3:6, 6:3, delivering the decisive third point. That result settled the winner of the tie before Milic even stepped onto the court for the fourth and final match, which by then carried no bearing on the outcome.
What Troicki and Milic Said
Team captain Viktor Troicki said after the match that he was pleased with the team’s approach and commitment over the weekend in Nis.
I want to congratulate the boys on their effort, a good result, 4-0. Next year we start again, and I would like us to be at full strength. I believe in this team, the future is theirs. Novak can still help them while he’s playing. We’re waiting for the draw, there will be tough teams.
The national team played this tie without Novak Djokovic, who was not part of the squad in Nis. Ognjen Milic was visibly emotional after his first win for the national team.
A wonderful feeling, I want to thank the captain and the team for five, six great days of training. I really felt excellent. I’m glad my first win came in Nis. I’m proud of the atmosphere and the togetherness, we fought together.
What’s Next for Serbia
With the win in Nis, Serbia has earned a spot in the Davis Cup World Group qualifiers, with the first round scheduled for February 2027. The opponent will only be known after the draw, something Troicki himself flagged when he said the team is waiting for the draw and that there will be tough teams.
Until then, what remains is the impression left by Cair Hall, a weekend in which the experience of Kecmanovic and Medjedovic got the job done, and young Milic got his chance to put his name in the team’s history. The next thing worth watching is that February draw, since it will show whether Serbia enters the qualifiers as the favorite or as the visiting side on someone else’s court.
