Djokovic-less serbs under-strength against Switzerland in Davis Cup

22 January 2014 10:27

Serbia will be forced to field a weakened side, minus Novak Djokovic, against Switzerland in their Davis Cup World Group first round tie in Novi Sad next week.

Beaten in the last eight of the Australian Open by Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in Melbourne on Tuesday, Djokovic had already made it clear that he would not be available for the tie.

The further absences of Janko Tipsarevic, through injury, and Viktor Troicki, through a doping violation suspension, means that Serb captain Bogdan Obradovic is left with untested youngsters Dusan Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic and Ilija Bozoljac with veteran Nenad Zimonjic set to play in the doubles.

Switzerland will also be under strength with Roger Federer making himself unavailable, but Wawrinka will be in the Swiss line-up.

Davis Cup winners in 2010, Serbia reached the final last year but lost in Belgrade to the Czech Republic.

Source: AFP