PETE ZIEBRON
World #2 Novak Djokovic leads Serbia against Croatia this weekend in Davis Cup action. (Charles Gabrean Photography)
In the most intriguing of the 4 Davis Cup ties this weekend, Serbia travels to Split, Croatia to battle for the right to play the winner of the Chile - Czech Republic tie. This will be the first time that these nations, both part of former Yugoslavia will meet in Davis Cup competition and the matches will be played on a hard court.
Right out of the gate, Novak Djokovic will take on Ivan Ljubicic, followed by Viktor Troicki against Marin Cilic. Djokovic, who became the second ranked player in the world this Monday, will attempt to duplicate his Davis Cup heroics once again against Croatia. In the first round of the 2010 Davis Cup, Djokovic defeated Americans Sam Querrey and John Isner in singles action to help seal the win for Serbia. Djokovic outlasted Isner in five tough sets in the 4th rubber to give Serbia their 3rd and clinching victory in the tie.
Croatia breezed to a 5-0 whitewashing of Ecuador in their first round tie. Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic won their singles matches on the first day of competition and then combined to win the doubles giving Croatia the insurmountable margin of victory over their guests from South America.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Czech Republic - Chile tie to be played on clay at Coquimbo Stadium in Chile. The Czechs will be without Wimbledon Finalist Tomas Berdych who is citing an abdominal strain as well an ailing Radek Stepanek whose left knee is still keeping him out of action. Meanwhile, the injured right knee of Fernando Gonzalez will keep him on the sidelines for the tie. This will be the first meeting between the nations since 1967 when the Chileans won in Prague.
In the top half of the Davis Cup draw, Spain (sans Rafael Nadal) travels to neighboring France where they will play on a hard court in Clermont-Ferrand. Another explosive match is featured to open play when Gael Monfils takes on David Ferrer. Unfortunately for the French, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be unable to compete due to a knee injury he suffered at Wimbledon. Spain leads the series 5-1.
Finally, Russia will host Argentina at Olympic Stadium in Moscow where the tie will be contested on a hard court. In yet another sizzling opening match, Nikolay Davydenko will face David Nalbandian. Although both men have been sidelined for the majority of 2010, the tilt promises to be intriguing. Russia leads the series 3-2 and in their last meeting, Marat Safin defeated Jose Acasuso in the 5th and deciding rubber to win the 2006 Davis Cup Final for Russia.
This weekend's winners will advance to play in the 2010 Davis Cup semifinals on September 17-19.
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