Serbia, Australia France & Belgium nearing semis

Serbia, Australia, France and Belgium are one win away from reaching the Davis Cup semifinals after winning their two singles matches yesterday.

In Belgrade, Serb Novak Djokovic returned in style after an elbow injury, sweeping past Albert Ramos Vinolas of Spain 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on indoor hard courts.

Spain sorely missed 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, and Viktor Troicki followed up Djokovic's win with an emphatic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win against Pablo Carreno Busta.

Troicki will be back on court to team up with 40-year-old Nenad Zimonjic in doubles against Marc Lopez and Jaume Munar. A win will send Serbia through to a September semifinal against France or Britain.

In Brisbane, Australia took charge against the United States, also on hard courts, at Pat Rafter Arena.

Nick Kyrgios finished off John Isner in a battle of the big servers with his 20th ace to win 7-5, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) after Jordan Thompson upset Jack Sock 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 64.

Australia can advance to a semifinal against Italy or Belgium with a win in doubles when Sam Groth and John Peers face Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson on Saturday.

Back in Europe, it was an easy day for France on indoor clay in Normandy.

After 17th-ranked Pouille beat Kyle Edmund 7-5, 7-6 (6), 6-3, Jeremy Chardy swatted aside Dan Evans 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Edmund, ranked 47th, was filling in for top-ranked Andy Murray, whose absence with an elbow injury was keenly felt.

In today's doubles, Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut face British pair Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray.

Britain won the Davis Cup in 2015, while France has not won since 2001.

Following a tricky start, Belgium took control against Italy on indoor hard courts at the Spiroudome de Charleroi.