MOSCOW (AFP) — Mikhail Youzhny will open Russia's Davis Cup campaign here on Friday by taking on Serbia's Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic.
The World Group first round showdown will then see Nikolay Davydenko go up against Viktor Troicki of Serbia in the second rubber.
The two countries last met in 1986, when Serbia was still part of Yugoslavia. The Russians lost then although they still lead 2-1 overall.
For Saturday's doubles Marat Safin has been named to play alongside Dmitry Tursunov even though there were reports that he would miss the entire tie due to a bad leg injury.
The Serbs have named Djokovic to play alongside doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic.
"There are no clear favourites for the match," said Serbian captain Bogdan Obradovic who also has Janko Tipsarevic at his disposal.
"Russia has an impressive record in the Davis Cup, but my guys are in top form and ready to battle to get into the quarter-finals."
Russian skipper Shamil Tarpishchev said it would be pointless to bring in a replacement for Safin so late in the day.
"Igor Andreev, who could replace Marat (Safin) is following his own schedule and is currently out of Russia," he said.
"And I think it's useless to call up any of our inexperienced young players into the team. They would be unable to match the Serbs."
"Marat will stay in the team. He can do a lot to raise his teammates' spirit even as a supporter."
"Definitely it will not be an easy match as there are two Austrialian Open champions in Serbia's squad. However, they're not invincible and we can win."
The winner of this weekend's tie in Moscow will face either Belgium or the Czech Republic for a place in the semi-finals.
Draw for the Davis Cup World Group opening round tie which takes place here from Friday to Sunday:
Friday (1000 GMT start)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) v Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) v Viktor Troicki (SRB)
Saturday (1100 GMT start)
Marat Safin/Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) v Novak Djokovic/Nenad Ziminjic (SRB)
Sunday (1000 GMT start)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) v Viktor Troicki (SRB)
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) v Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
