U.S. Davis Cup Draws Trip to Djokovic’s Serbia for 2018 First Round

Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and veterans Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic will be among the potential opponents when Serbia hosts the U.S. in the first round of the 2018 Davis Cup on Feb. 2-4 at a location to be determined in Serbia.

The U.S. is 0-2 all-time against Serbia, with Djokovic clinching the match 3-1 in both meetings in the first Sunday singles — in 2010 in Belgrade in the first round, and in 2013 in Boise, Idaho, in the quarterfinals. Serbia went on to win the Davis Cup in 2010.

This year the U.S. was eliminated by Australia in the April quarterfinals, and a Djokovic-less Serbia team was defeated by France in the semifinals this month.

Djokovic, currently sidelined for the remainder of the year with an arm injury, is ranked No. 6, with Troicki at No. 47 and Tipsarevic No. 68 on the ATP rankings. The U.S. is currently led by No. 16 Sam Querrey, No. 17 John Isner, No. 21 Jack Sock and No. 44 Steve Johnson. Player choices for each team will be announced no less than 10 days prior to the tie.

France is currently set to host Belgium in the 2017 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final under a closed roof on hard court at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille on Nov. 24-26.

Other first-round 2018 meetings in February will be Netherlands at France, Italy at Japan, Britain at Spain, Germany at Australia, Switzerland at Kazakhstan, Canada at Croatia, and Belgium vs. Hungary with the choice of ground to be determined. The U.S.-Serbia winner will meet the winner of the Belgium-Hungary tie on April 6-8, 2018.

The U.S. will be looking to raise the Davis Cup for the first time since 2007 when Andy Roddick, James Blake and the Bryan brothers blanked Russia 3-0 in Portland, Ore.

For more info go to www.daviscup.com.