Bangalore: Hosts India hope world number one Novak Djokovic's absence will help them upset former champions Serbia in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie starting on Friday.
Djokovic pulled out of the weekend's action in the southern city of Bangalore citing fatigue and family reasons after being stunned by Japan's Kei Nishikori in the US Open semi-final last week.
India's non-playing captain Anand Amritraj said Djokovic's absence will benefit the home team, but warned a return to the elite 16-nation World Group after two years in the zonal competition will not be easy.
"The Serbs have a strong side and it will be important to take a point on the opening day," said Amritraj. "Hopefully, the pressure will get to them in front of our crowds."
Serbia were relegated to the play-offs for the first time since 2007 when, playing without Djokovic, they lost to Roger Federer's Switzerland in the first round in February.
The 2010 champions are also without the injured duo of Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki, but coach Bogdan Obradovic said he was ready for the challenge on the hardcourts of Bangalore.
"We have worked hard here for the past week and got used to the conditions," Obradovic said. "Any side is tough to beat at home, and India are no exception, but we will do well."
Serbia will be led in Djokovic's absence by 61st-ranked Dusan Lajovic, aged 24, with number 107 Filip Krajinovic playing the second singles.
Both Serbs are ranked higher than India's two singles players, number 144 Somdev Devvarman and the 153rd-ranked Yuki Bhambri.
Bhambri takes on Lajovic in Friday's opener, followed by the match between Devvarman and Krajinovic.
In the doubles on Saturday, India's 41-year-old veteran Leander Paes will partner Rohan Bopanna against Ninad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac.
The Serbian duo stunned the formidable Bryan brothers of the United States in the Davis Cup 2013.
Yuki to start India's Davis Cup campaign:
Yuki Bhambri will open India's Davis Cup campaign against Serbia, drawn against visiting side's number two player Dusan Lajovic for the first singles match of the World Group playoff tie, beginning here on Friday. The second singles match will be played between India's Somdev Devvarman and Filip Krajinovic.
The first match will begin at 3 pm and the second from 6.30 pm. On the second day of the tie, ace Indian tennis player Leander Paes will combine with local star Rohan Bopanna against the Serbian pair of Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac.
While on the last day of the tie, Devvarman will play Lajovic in the fourth rubber and Bhambri will face Krajinovic in the second reverse singles. The first reverse singles will commence from 4 pm and the fifth rubber will start after 6.30 pm.
The nominations for the doubles and reverse singles can be changed up to one hour before scheduled start. Indian non-playing captain Anand Amritraj said he was happy with Yuki starting the tie for India.
Asked whether India will target Krajinovic, Amritraj said they are not targeting anyone as both are equally good players. "I have seen them practice. They are equally good. Just need to go out and play and hope for the best. No we are not targetting anyone ... It depends entirely on the day," he said.
Asked whether he is happy with playing matches in evenings, Amritraj said, "Personally I would have opted for playing in the morning, and in Davis Cup normally matches are played in the mornings. However, we agreed to the wishes of the Bangalore organisers and we are ready for it."
Devvarman said both the teams are evenly matched. He described Krajinovic as a very good player. "There is a chance for both teams as both are evenly matched and I think Krajinovic is a very good and informed player. Even I have been playing well. I am going to put my best foot forward," he said.
The Indian said playing in Shanghai has helped him become match fit. "It was a good decision to have played in Shanghai. I am feeling healthy, match sharp and fit, and I am looking forward to the match," he added.
Replying to yet another query, Devvarman said he played against Krajinovic twice before in 2009 and 2010. "The first match I won in a three-set game and the next I went down," he said.
