(From left) Somdev Dev Varman, team captain Shiv Prakash Misra, Rohan Bopanna and Karan Rastogi, in Novi Sad, on Thursday. (AFP)

Novi Sad: Rohan Bopanna will take on Serbia’s Viktor Troicki in the opening singles of the first round of Davis Cup on Friday.

The draw, on Thursday, also pitted Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic against India’s No. 1 Somdev Dev Varman. Doubles are scheduled for Saturday, while reverse singles till be played on Sunday.

India’s young brigade, led by Somdev, faces a stiff test of nerve and ability as they take on top seed and defending champion Serbia in the Davis Cup World Group first round. As if the tough opponents in their own den were not enough, India would miss the ever-reliable doubles duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi due to injuries. It just makes the job for the Indian youngsters a lot more tough against a side, which boasts the likes of Viktor Troicki, Janko Tipsaveric and Nenad Zimonjic.

In what could come as a relief for India, world No. 3 Novak Djokovic has decided to skip the tie, electing instead to travel to the US and prepare for upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Djokovic, whose two singles wins helped Serbia beat France to win their first Davis Cup title last December, explained his decision on his personal website. “After talks with the coach and players, I have decided not to play against India,” Djokovic said.

There is no comparison between the two sides and in the absence of Paes and Bhupathi, securing even one rubber out of five, would be considered a big achievement.

Yet again India’s best chance of winning a rubber remains Somdev, who of late has been in good touch. He made his second ATP final in Johannesburg and jumped back into the top-100. Rohan Bopanna has also done well in Davis Cup for India in the last few ties but this time around he will have to shoulder the responsibility of guiding the side in the doubles rubber. He has the experience of playing big matches but does not have a strong partner to support.

Captain Shiv Prakash Misra and coach Nandan Bal hardly have strong options and most likely it will be either Somdev or Karan Rastogi, who will join forces with Bopanna. It does not look like that Yuki Bhambri and Rastogi will get a chance to play until the fourth rubber. If the tie is decided on the second day itself, in favour of the hosts, Bhambri and Rastogi may get to play for exposure.

Serbia and India are locked 1-1 in Davis Cup records. India had defeated Yugoslavia 3-0 in an away tie in 1927 and lost 2-3 at home in New Delhi in 1988. India secured its place in the elite 16 for the second straight year after defeating Brazil 3-2 in the play-offs in Chennai. Serbia has defeated France 3-2, overcoming a 0-2 deficit to be crowned champions for the first time.

The Draw

Friday, singles: Viktor Troicki (Serbia) vs Rohan Bopanna (India); Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) vs Somdev Dev Varman (India)

Saturday, doubles: Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac (Serbia) vs Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Dev Varman (India)

Sunday, reverse singles: Viktor Troicki (Serbia) vs Somdev Dev Varman (India); Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) vs Rohan Bopanna (India)