Great Britain continues its bid to win the Davis Cup against Serbia, led by Novak Djokovic. Djokovic says that lifting the trophy for his country is important.
On Thursday, the Great Britain team will face Serbia without Andy Murray and Dan Evans.
BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer will broadcast the match live from Malaga in Spain at 15:00 GMT.
I would love to see Serbia win the Davis Cup. Djokovic said, “That’s my goal.”
Britain won its last trophy in 2015. reached the knockout stage of the Davis Cup with an exciting victory against France in September.
Also known as the “Final Eight”, the knockout stage begins on Tuesday, when the champions Canada take on Finland.
Australia will play the Czech Republic, the runners-up from last year’s competition, on Wednesday. Italy and The Netherlands are scheduled to face off on Thursday.
On Friday and Saturday the semi-finals are played, with the final on Sunday deciding the winner of the men’s team competition.
Britain doubles its depth after injuries blows
The five-man British squad that reached the knockout stages has been reduced to four after the injuries of Evans, who played a key role in the team’s progress through the group stage and Murray (the former number one world player).
This leaves, barring further injury issues, a simple team choice for GB Captain Leon Smith.
The British No. 1 Cameron Norrie will face Djokovic in a three-way tie that will consist of two singles and one doubles match. Laslo Djere, the rising star from Britain’s top 10, is expected to be up first.
In the event that the doubles matches are split up, Neal Skupski will try to get Britain in the semifinals.
Skupski has formed a successful partnership with Evans, having won the Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Title in this year. They also secured Great Britain’s spot at Malaga by winning the tense final against France during the group stage.
Evans was ruled out of the tournament due to a calf problem. Salisbury, who won the Doubles Title at Sunday’s ATP Finals held in Turin, has been called up.
Djokovic aims for another trophy
Djokovic is still in his prime and has not shown any signs of fading. He will be looking to end another incredible season by winning the Davis Cup team competition.
Djokovic has won 3 of 4 Grand Slam Singles Titles this year. His only loss at a Major was in the Wimbledon Final.
The world’s number one rounded off his tour season on Sunday with a seven-time record title in Turin .
Djokovic will be aiming for another trophy in Serbia. The country won its first Davis Cup ever last year.
It is a very important week for both us and our country. Djokovic stated, “We’ll try our best.”
What else are you playing?
The holders Canada will open their knockout competition against Finland at the Palacio Deportes José Maria Martin Carpena on Tuesday.
The team, led by Felix Auger Aliassime (ranked 29), is aiming to win the Billie Jean King Cup after the women’s counterparts took the title this month.
Auger-Aliassime: “Every time we play as a group, we have the belief that we will win.”
It’s an entirely different tournament from the rest of tour. Davis Cup is always full of surprises. There’s a certain energy.
No matter what the season brings, you and your team must always have the same confidence. “
The hosts Spain failed to qualify for the Final Eight as they did not make it past Group C. The United States, who have won 32 times in the Final Eight before, also lost out to Finland after their last Group D match.
What is the best way to follow Davis Cup?
On the BBC Sport Tennis page, you can see live scores and results as well as read about the most important stories of the six-day tournament .
The semi-final match will be played on Saturday, 11:00 GMT, if Great Britain wins. BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport and BBC Sport App will allow you to view the match.
The BBC will broadcast the final live on Sunday, whether GB is involved or not.
