World Group rank no. 7 Serbia will welcome back top player Novak Djokovic, as they host Kazakhstan for their first ever Davis Cup head-to-head. The world number 1 was conspicuously absent from Serbia’s quarterfinal trouncing at the hands of Argentina in last year’s round of eight.

With the 2014 world cup title gradually turning into a distant memory, Serbia must take advantage of Djokovic’s reign as the most dominant tennis player in the world. The top seeded player was forced to retire in the quarterfinal of the recently concluded 2016 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to an eye infection. The problem affecting his eye was the first time he experienced the condition.

This event should serve as a reminder that no one is invulnerable. The same holds true for tennis World Cup competition, as some of the very best teams in past tournament have experienced getting eliminated after the first round.

Joining him on the Serbian team are two top one hundred singles players. Viktor Troicki will be seeking redemption for last year’s Davis Cup weak performance. Serbia’s no. 2 man at world rank 23, came up empty handed in both of his singles and doubles rubbers against Argentina, losing a 4-1 battle.

Teammate Filip Krajinovic is in the same boat as him. The world no. 97 also suffered two defeats during their world group quarterfinal humiliation. Dujan Lajovic is another top Serbian talent, ranked at world no. 67, will only be playing in his sixth Davis Cup Tie. Lastly, forty-year old Nenad Zimonjic will head into his 51st tie, and having played more than sixty rubbers.

Kazakhstan was able to join the world group for the first time in 2011. They have only gotten as far as the quarterfinals. They once again be head into a tie as the underdogs, looking to avoid another likely first round exit.

Leading the charge for the Kazakhstan team into their first ever meeting against Serbia is world rank 97 Mikhail Kukushin. In recent years, Kazakhstan’s main man has gone up against some high profile players in Davis Cup action.

He has lost rubbers to the likes of Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, and David Goffin. Teammates Alexsandr Nedovyesov and Andrey Golubex are an underrated doubles team. They were able to upset a powerhouse duo of Federer and Wawrinka two years ago.

Tie Details

Date: 04 Mar – 06 Mar 2016

Venue: Pionir Hall , Belgrade, Serbia

Start times: