Davis Cup 2010

Novak Djokovic inspired Serbia to their only Davis Cup triumph in 2010 but has, in common with many other top players, carefully selected which ties he will honour in a packed tour schedule

India last qualified for the elite 16-nation Group in 2010 but were knocked out in the first round by this very Serbian team the next year in Novi Sad, where the visitors suffered a 1-4 rout.

Serbia will undoubtedly present a greater challenge for India. The 2010 champions may have suffered a loss to Switzerland in the World Group first round this year but their form in recent years has seen them become a force to be reckoned with.

France took an unassailable 3-0 lead over Australia, with Germany seeing off Spain and Switzerland beat 2010 winners and last year's finalists Serbia by the same scoreline.

Switzerland is an overwhelming favorite against Serbia, last year's finalist and the 2010 Davis Cup champion, which will be without Novak Djokovic.

Playing in the final for the third time in five years, the Czechs also named 44th-ranked Lukas Rosol, Radek Stepanek (46) and Jan Hajek (109) to face 2010 champions Serbia led by world number two Novak Djokovic.

Defending champions, the Czechs won their eighth Davis Cup tie in a row when they swept Argentina in the semi-finals in Prague, while 2010 champions Serbia, led by world number one Djokovic, saw off Canada.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic got 2010 champions Serbia off to a fast start against the United States, with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-5 victory over John Isner.

Djokovic and ninth-ranked compatriot Janko Tipsarevic, who spearheaded Serbia's first Davis Cup title in 2010, should help their country prevail over Belgium in Charleroi. The home side's top player David Goffin is ranked only at 50.

Serbia shrugged off the absence of Novak Djokovic to reach the Davis Cup last eight on Sunday with the 2010 champions confidently setting their sights on dethroning Spain in November's final.

India is out of Davis Cup World Group with Somdev Devvarman's defeat against Mikhail Youzhny in the first reverse singles match in Moscow.

France, Croatia and the Czech Republic reached the Davis Cup quarterfinals, while Russia and Serbia were delayed by defeats in doubles on Saturday.

Back in the tie after "superlative" win of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, India's Davis Cup captain S P Misra on Saturday asked Somdev Devvarman to go all out in Sunday's tough reverse singles.

Seasoned pros Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi showed their class and chemistry by recording a clinical win over Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili to keep India's chances alive in the Davis Cup World Group tie against Russia on Saturday.

Spain's title defense began nervously after Switzerland pocketed the first singles while the Czech Republic, Serbia, France, Russia and Croatia swept their matches on the first day of Davis Cup World Group action on Friday.

Novak Djokovic inspired Serbia to their only Davis Cup triumph in 2010 but has, in common with many other top players, carefully selected which ties he will honour in a packed tour schedule

India last qualified for the elite 16-nation Group in 2010 but were knocked out in the first round by this very Serbian team the next year in Novi Sad, where the visitors suffered a 1-4 rout.

Serbia will undoubtedly present a greater challenge for India. The 2010 champions may have suffered a loss to Switzerland in the World Group first round this year but their form in recent years has seen them become a force to be reckoned with.

France took an unassailable 3-0 lead over Australia, with Germany seeing off Spain and Switzerland beat 2010 winners and last year's finalists Serbia by the same scoreline.

Switzerland is an overwhelming favorite against Serbia, last year's finalist and the 2010 Davis Cup champion, which will be without Novak Djokovic.

Playing in the final for the third time in five years, the Czechs also named 44th-ranked Lukas Rosol, Radek Stepanek (46) and Jan Hajek (109) to face 2010 champions Serbia led by world number two Novak Djokovic.

Defending champions, the Czechs won their eighth Davis Cup tie in a row when they swept Argentina in the semi-finals in Prague, while 2010 champions Serbia, led by world number one Djokovic, saw off Canada.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic got 2010 champions Serbia off to a fast start against the United States, with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-5 victory over John Isner.

Djokovic and ninth-ranked compatriot Janko Tipsarevic, who spearheaded Serbia's first Davis Cup title in 2010, should help their country prevail over Belgium in Charleroi. The home side's top player David Goffin is ranked only at 50.

Serbia shrugged off the absence of Novak Djokovic to reach the Davis Cup last eight on Sunday with the 2010 champions confidently setting their sights on dethroning Spain in November's final.

India is out of Davis Cup World Group with Somdev Devvarman's defeat against Mikhail Youzhny in the first reverse singles match in Moscow.

France, Croatia and the Czech Republic reached the Davis Cup quarterfinals, while Russia and Serbia were delayed by defeats in doubles on Saturday.

Back in the tie after "superlative" win of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, India's Davis Cup captain S P Misra on Saturday asked Somdev Devvarman to go all out in Sunday's tough reverse singles.

Seasoned pros Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi showed their class and chemistry by recording a clinical win over Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili to keep India's chances alive in the Davis Cup World Group tie against Russia on Saturday.

Spain's title defense began nervously after Switzerland pocketed the first singles while the Czech Republic, Serbia, France, Russia and Croatia swept their matches on the first day of Davis Cup World Group action on Friday.