No confirmation about Djokovic

Serbia’s Davis Cup captain Bogdan Obradovic has said that he still hasn’t talked to Novak Djokovic about his availability for the tie against India in the city, starting next Friday.

“I haven’t spoken to him so far,” he said.I will probably call him on tonight (Sunday night) and check with him and on Monday we will know for sure about his availability.”

Djokovic, who has been named in the squad, suffered a shock defeat against Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the semifinal of the US Open on Saturday. Addressing the media persons after the match, Djokovic had said: “Well, I have to speak with my captain and see, you know, see if I’m going to India or not. I still don’t know.”

He also said was it was too early to tell whether his US Open exit could be the last time he plays this year.

“I don't know yet,” Djokovic said. “Just got off the court. I don't know.” Obradovic, who put the other Serbian players – Dusan Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic and Ilija Bozoljac – through their paces here at the KSLTA on Sunday, rated the match as ‘50-50.’
“It will be a tough match for both the sides. The altitude and the humidity here is high and even the wind speed could be a problem.

“But we are a very young side apart from the Nenad Zimonjic who is a highly experienced doubles player and we are high on confidence. I would say both sides have a 50-50 chance of winning the tie.”

While the Indians do start favourites in the doubles rubber, do not rule the Serbians out as they have a history of slaying Goliaths, something which Obradovic talked about.

“Ours is an improving side and our doubles pair of Zimonjic and Bozoljac have beaten the Bryan brothers (Bob and Mike), the best team in the history of doubles.”
He also labelled the newly relaid surface, which was put through the wringer by an ITF official, as very fast. “The surface is very fast and the ball did bounce very highly and it maybe difficult to control the high bounce.”

Serbia have been in the upper echelons of the Davis Cup for the better part of the last decade and won the whole thing as recently as 2010 when they edged out France 3-2.

But the 2013 finalists lost in the first round of the World Group against Switzerland which bumped them into the Play Off.

If Djokovic doesn’t feature in the tie, Lajovic and Krajinovic are expected to be the two singles players.