Djoko seeks revival through Cup
Paris, April 6: Novak Djokovic spearheads Serbia’s bid to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 2013 and reboot a career which has stalled since his history-making French Open victory.
Shock early losses at Wimbledon, the Rio Olympics and Australian Open have been compounded by a recent elbow injury which sidelined him from the Miami Masters.
Since the start of 2017 Djokovic has won just seven matches but he insists that this weekend’s Davis Cup clash at home to Spain provides the perfect platform for the defence of his French Open title.
Rafael Nadal has opted out of the trip to Belgrade, choosing to rest ahead of the imminent clay court season and his prime target — a 10th French Open title.
World number 19 Pablo Carreno-Busta will instead lead Spain’s assault on a first semi-final spot since 2012.
The winners of the tie will take on either France or Great Britain for a spot in the final.
The European rivals meet on an indoor clay court at Rouen with Britain hampered by the loss of world number one Andy Murray, out with an elbow injury.
World number 44 Dan Evans is Britain’s topranked singles player despite not having played on clay for three years, while 17th-ranked Lucas Pouille shoulders French hopes with leading men JoWilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils not in contention.
Nine-time winners France have gambled by handing the second singles spot to veteran Jeremy Chardy despite the world number 68 not having played in the tournament for six years. Kyrgios-led Oz host US In Brisbane 28-time winners Australia host the United States.
Firebrand 16th-ranked Nick Kyrgios, fresh from his epic three-set loss to Roger Federer in the Miami semifinals takes on the role of Australia’s top singles player.
With teammate Jordan Thompson, 79 in the world, Kyrgios will be relied on to take both singles rubbers.
The winners of that tie will meet either 2015 runners-up Belgium or Italy, who stunned defending champions Argentina in the first round, for a final spot.