Djokovic to lead Serbia against US in Davis Cup

Serbia looks to qualify for its first Davis Cup quarterfinal when it hosts a U.S. team that is missing Andy Roddick and James Blake.

This will be the first time since 2000 that neither Roddick nor Blake will be on the Davis Cup roster. The Americans lead all nations with 32 Davis Cup titles, while Serbia has never progressed beyond the first round in the World Group.

The U.S. team of John Isner, Sam Querrey and the top-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan will play on an indoor clay court in Belgrade Arena.

Led by second-ranked Novak Djokovic, Serbia will counter with Viktor Troicki, Janko Tipsarevic and doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic.

Singles play begins Friday, followed by doubles Saturday in the best-of-three series.

Nalbandian expected to play

David Nalbandian is expected to play for Argentina against Sweden in the Davis Cup this weekend after a quicker than expected recovery from a leg injury.

His manager, Bernardo Ballero, told reporters Wednesday that Nalbandian had practiced earlier in the day without any problem.

He was forced to withdraw last month from the Copa Telemex tournament in Buenos Aires with a right-leg injury. The tournament was Nalbandian’s first since hip surgery just over nine months ago.

Nalbandian said on his Web site he planned to travel immediately to Sweden. Coach Modesto Vazquez was expected to team him with Horacio Zeballos in doubles on Saturday and possibly use him in reverse singles on Sunday.

Argentina is without injured stars Martin Del Potro and Juan Monaco

Top male tennis players to discuss World Cup proposals

Top male tennis players to discuss World Cup proposals

Novak Djokovic says the world's top male players are to consider proposals for a biennial World Cup that would threaten the future of the Davis Cup.

The Serb said the idea for a 32-nation event came from the ATP Player Council, of which he is a member.

"It's all fresh and it's all ideas... we have to consider other sides as well," said the world number three.

Players are set to discuss plans for the 10-day male-only tournament at next week's Australian Open.
According to The Times, World Cup matches would be shorter and, with a maximum of 25 seconds allowed between points, players would have to watch the clock.

Teams would consist of three players and a captain, with the 32 nations split into eight groups of four and 16 reaching the knockout stages.