Edas Butvilas showed not only excellent play but also character in a tough match at the Čair Arena in Niš, where the Davis Cup first group competition between the Lithuanian and Serbian teams began on Saturday.
Read more Healthy dessert in minutes: try banana pudding
The 22-year-old from Klaipėda, ranked 194th in the ATP rankings, lost 5:7, 6:1, 5:7 after a two-hour and nine-minute battle to the home favorite and leader of the Serbian team Miomir Kecmanović (ATP-61).
In the team duel to three wins, Serbia took the first step forward, achieving a 1:0 result much harder than expected.
“It definitely wasn’t easy. He played very well, inspired, but I am happy that I held on and won a point for my team,” said M. Kecmanović.
He admitted that the young Lithuanian surprised him, especially with his first serves, of which he made an unstoppable 11, while the Serbian only 2.
“Yes, I was surprised. We all knew he could play good tennis, but I was surprised that he maintained such good play for so long. He is a very talented player, but my experience helped me win,” said M. Kecmanović. “He served wonderfully today, but the experience of such matches, which is greater than his, clearly helped me.”
M. Kecmanović said he was not discouraged after the second set, in which E. Butvilas simply dominated the Čair court.
“I wasn’t very disappointed with the second set because he played amazing tennis, and I couldn’t do much. He played incredible tennis, but I managed to change the game a bit and win,” said M. Kecmanović, who saved himself in a dramatic match.
Did not break down after the first set
The 22-year-old Lithuanian, who has now climbed to his highest position in the world rankings – 194th, started the duel with great confidence.
Although the opponent is an experienced player and stands 133 positions higher in the ATP rankings, the first set was a close fight, with the server winning each game.
- With Novak Djokovic deciding to skip these matches, Miomir Kecmanović is the first Serbian racket.
- The 27-year-old Serbian (ATP-61) has reached as high as 27th in the rankings (2023) and has won $9.3 million in prize money during his career.
- He started playing tennis at six with his grandfather, former Yugoslav Army general Jovan Pavlov, moved to Florida at 13 with his aunt to train, and became the world junior tennis number one; he has won two ATP tournaments.
E. Butvilas delivered several spectacular shots, hitting the ball between his legs, while coach Laurynas Grigelis and teammates had many opportunities to raise their fists in joy and applaud our tennis player.
The close fight lasted until the end of the first set. Although leading 5:4, E. Butvilas was just a couple of points away from winning the set, M. Kecmanović held on, then won a tough game while receiving from the Lithuanian, and then finished the matter serving himself (7:5).
The unsuccessful end of the first set did not cool down the young Lithuanian tennis player.
E. Butvilas played even more boldly in attack and after a tough fight won the second game, winning for the first time during the opponent’s serve (2:0).
The Lithuanian led 3:0 in the second set and then accompanied another won game on M. Kecmanović’s serve with a fighting shout.
Read more In the popular Lithuanian podcast – changes: 1 host leaves
The experienced Serbian, as usual, showed no emotions but must have felt very uncomfortable inside with the Lithuanian leading 5:0 and eventually winning the second set 6:1.
The mood in the Lithuanian team camp and in the stands became even more intense when E. Butvilas successfully started the third set (2:0). Meanwhile, the faces of the Serbian team representatives became increasingly stone-like, with coach Viktor Troicki frequently sipping from a water bottle.
After Lithuanian team scout Tadas Babelis signaled a bow shot after a won point, E. Butvilas continued shooting the ball like arrows, pinning the opponent against the wall with his first serves and versatile attacking play.
“Here we go,” shouted E. Butvilas at 4:2, but soon the Serbs raised their fists and chanted “Serbia” when M. Kecmanović leveled the score (4:4) and took the lead (5:4).
Serving, E. Butvilas again led 40:15, but M. Kecmanović recovered and was one point away from winning the match. This was the toughest game, which the Lithuanian won, leveling the set score (5:5).
Our team’s number one Vilius Gaubas had already gone to prepare for his match when the climax of the first match was reached.
When M. Kecmanović took the lead 6:5, E. Butvilas had an untimely first double fault on serve, but he recovered again, delivering his 11th ace.
Finally, M. Kecmanović pulled out the victory and raised his arms in triumph with relief, winning the third set 7:5.
Player’s parents also in the support group
About a thousand spectators followed the matches at the Čair Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Although tickets cost 4 euros each, Novak Djokovic’s decision to skip these matches likely reduced local interest in the first world group meeting, so the stands were filled about one-third.
However, the voices of several dozen Lithuanians dressed in tricolor and dark green shirts, including E. Butvilas’s parents, were clearly heard in the arena.
They will be needed again. In the second Saturday match, our team’s number one Vilius Gaubas will face the second Serbian racket in these matches, Hamad Medjedović (ATP-77).
Sunday’s matches will start with doubles. Lithuanian team captain Laurynas Grigelis nominated Justas Trainauskas (ATP-1677) and Pijus Vaitiekūnas (ATP-1689), while Serbian captain Viktor Troicki chose Stefan Latinović (doubles ATP-90) and M. Kecmanović. The doubles match starts at 2 p.m.
After the doubles, two more singles matches are scheduled: M. Kecmanović will play V. Gaubas, and H. Medjedović will play E. Butvilas.
