Novak Djokovic squared the Davis Cup final at 1-1 after day one with victory over Gilles Simon.

After Gael Monfils gave France a perfect start with a resounding straight sets win over Janko Tipsarevic earlier in the day, all the pressure was on Djokovic. Everyone is expecting the world number three to play a starring role this weekend and he delivered in style, crushing Simon 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.

Djokovic had won his past five matches with Simon and once he broke serve in a lengthy seventh game, there was only going to be one winner. Djokovic served superbly throughout the match to the delight of the packed Belgrade Arena and his only wobble came when trying to serve it out at 5-4 in the third.

Two match points came and went as Simon received an unexpected lifeline. However there was to be no twist in the tale. The Frenchman levelled at 5-5 but his reprieve was short-lived. Djokovic broke again straight away and made no mistake in closing things out second time around.