New Delhi, Apr 8: India will take on Serbia at home in the Davis Cup World Group play-offs to be held from September 12 to 14, raising the possibility of multiple-time Grand Slam winner and world number two Novak Djokovic touching down in the country.
Bogdan Obradovic-led Serbia will face India for the second time in three years in a bid to maintain their World Group status, having defeated India 4-1 on their most recent foray into the top tier of the competition in the first round in 2011.
The Indian Davis Cup team on Sunday entered the World Group playoffs after notching up a historic away triumph over Korea in the Group I Asia/Oceania second round tie at Busan.
Serbia, who lost 2-3 to Switzerland in the World Group first round in February, has not featured in zonal competition since 2007, the year it defeated Australia in the World Group play-offs to secure top tier status for the first time, and will be desperate to avoid a return to Europe/Africa Zone Group I.
Meanwhile, Spain and Argentina also face a fight to remain in the World Group following today’s draw, with Carlos Moya’s five-time champions needing to come away with a win in Brazil and four-time runner-up Argentina due to travel to Israel.
Australia, Canada and USA have been handed more favourable home draws, with Pat Rafter’s men hosting Uzbekistan, USA taking on Slovak Republic and Canada granted a home tie against Colombia.
The remaining two ties will see Croatia travel to Netherlands in a draw decided by lot, and Ukraine set to host Belgium.
2014 World Group play-offs (12-14 September):
India v Serbia; Brazil v Spain; Israel v Argentina; Canada v Colombia; USA v Slovak Republic; Australia v Uzbekistan; Netherlands v Croatia and Ukraine v Belgium. (PTI)
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