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MUMBAI: India will play against defending champions Serbia in the first set of matches in the Davis Cup World Group opening round 2011, live and exclusive only on NEO Sports. The matches will be played from 4th March to 6th March at Spens Sports Center, Novi Sad, Serbia. India entered the World Group by beating Brazil 3 -2 in a thrilling contest at the world group playoffs in September 2010. India will be facing the defending champions for the first time in Davis Cup history.
Speaking on the occasion Prasana Krishnan, COO, NEO Sports Broadcast Pvt Ltd., said, "We at NEO Sports are truly excited with this opportunity of bringing tennis lovers of the country an exciting tennis tournament ahead. India entered the world group for the second consecutive year this year and we look forward to an electrifying match."
India is able to boast experience in the doubles department, with serial Grand Slam winners Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna will showcase their mettle to play in the singles category.
The host team will be led by two time Australian open champion and current world number 3 Novak Djokovic. The Serbian team will comprise of players like Janko Tipsarevic, Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic to fight it out against the Indians.
The winners of this tie will go through to the quarter finals of the World group to be held in July later this year. The losing contingent will have to play a World Group play off to secure their spot in the 2012 World Group.
Indian Squad: Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Shiv Prakash Misra (Team captain)
Serbian Squad: Novak Djokovic, Viktor Troicki, Janko Tipsarevic, Nenad Zimonjic, Bogdan Obradovic (Team captain)
India competed in its first Davis Cup in 1921 and since then they have not qualified for the finals since 1987.
