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India to face Serbia in Serbia in Davis Cup World Group Play-offs

India beat China 3-2 to make it to the Davis Cup World Group Play-offs in the new two-day three-set match format in Tianjin

Updated on: Apr 10, 2018, 20:41:12 IST
PTI, New Delhi | By
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India were on Tuesday drawn to clash with fifth seed Serbia in an away Davis Cup World Group play-off tie, scheduled to be held from September 16-18, in traditional three-day five-set match format.

India are striving to qualify for the elite 16-nation World Group for the fifth straight year. (Getty Images)
India are striving to qualify for the elite 16-nation World Group for the fifth straight year. (Getty Images)

India beat China 3-2 to make it to the World Group Play-offs in the new two-day three-set match format in Tianjin.

A Novak Djokovic-less Serbia had lost 1-3 to the USA at home in the first round of the World Group in February this year.

READ | India rally to beat China 3-2 in Davis Cup, seal World Group playoffs berth

The last time India and Serbia clashed was also a World Group Play-off tie which India lost 2-3 in Bengaluru in 2014.

“Countering Serbia in Serbia is always tough. In fact any of those teams coming from the World Group are difficult sides ,” India’s Davis Cup coach Zeeshna Ali said.

“And we will be back to old format with four playing members in the team. It’s too early to comment on selection as it is still some four months away,” Zeeshan added.

READ | Leander Paes dedicates historic Davis Cup tennis record to India

It will be fifth year in a row that India will strive to qualify for the elite 16-nation World Group.

India lost to Serbia (2014), Czech Republic (2015), Spain (2016) and Canada (2017) in last four attempts. The last time India competed in the World Group was in 2011 when it lost 1-4 to Serbia at Novi Sad in 2011.

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