Nice Britain’s bid for Davis Cup glory continues towards a Serbia staff led by Novak Djokovic, who says lifting the trophy is “vital” for his nation.
With out injured pair Dan Evans and Andy Murray, Nice Britain face Serbia within the quarter-finals on Thursday.
The tie in Malaga, Spain might be proven reside on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site and app from 15:00 GMT.
“I actually wish to win the Davis Cup with Serbia. That is a objective,” Djokovic, 36, stated.
Britain, who final received the trophy in 2015, reached the Davis Cup knockout phases with an exciting victory over France in September.
Often known as the ‘Remaining Eight’, the knockout part begins on Tuesday when defending champions Canada face Finland.
Australia, who have been runners-up final 12 months, tackle the Czech Republic on Wednesday, whereas Italy and the Netherlands play on Thursday.
The semi-finals might be performed on Friday and Saturday, earlier than the champions of the 123-year-old males’s staff occasion are determined in Sunday’s showpiece.
Britain’s doubles depth wanted after harm blows
Nice Britain initially named the identical five-man squad which reached the knockout stage, however have since misplaced Evans – who was instrumental of their progress from the group stage – and former world primary Murray to harm.
That leaves, barring any extra sudden harm considerations, an easy staff choice for GB captain Leon Smith.
In a best-of-three tie consisting of two singles matches and a doubtlessly deciding doubles, rising star Jack Draper is more likely to begin towards Laslo Djere earlier than Cameron Norrie – the British primary – faces Djokovic.
If the matches are cut up, doubles specialists Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury will intention to place Britain into the semi-finals.
Skupski, who received the Wimbledon males’s doubles title this 12 months, has cast a fruitful partnership with Evans for Nice Britain, together with profitable a tense group-stage decider towards France that secured the nation’s place in Malaga.
With Evans dominated out by a calf harm, Salisbury was known as up as a alternative and comes into the occasion having retained the doubles title on the ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday.
Dominant Djokovic targets one other trophy
Regardless of being within the twilight of his profession, Djokovic’s powers are exhibiting little signal of diminishing and he goes into the Davis Cup Finals aiming to cap one other extraordinary season with extra success within the staff competitors.
Djokovic received three of the 4 Grand Slam singles titles this 12 months, together with his solely defeat at a serious coming within the Wimbledon remaining.
On Sunday, the world primary additional underlined his dominance by rounding off the tour season with a document seventh title on the ATP Finals in Turin.
Now Djokovic is concentrating on one other trophy with Serbia, who received the Davis Cup for the primary and solely time in 2010.
“It is a vital week for us, for our nation. We’ll do our greatest,” Djokovic stated.
Who else is taking part in?
Holders Canada open the knockout match towards Finland on Tuesday on the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena.
Led by Twenty ninth-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime, they’re aiming to make sure each staff titles within the sport stay in Canadian palms after their feminine counterparts received the Billie Jean King Cup this month.
“At any time when we come as a staff we at all times have a perception that we are able to win,” Auger-Aliassime stated.
“It is a separate match than the remainder of the tour. That is why you at all times see surprises typically in Davis Cup. There may be an vitality.
“No matter what occurs all year long, we have simply acquired to come back with the identical degree of confidence in your self and your staff.”
Hosts Spain didn’t qualify for the Remaining Eight after failing to make it out of Group C in September, whereas the US – document 32-time winners – additionally missed out after dropping to Finland of their remaining Group D tie.
The place can I comply with the Davis Cup Finals?
You may comply with reside scores, see the outcomes and skim the most effective tales from the six-day occasion on the BBC Sport tennis web page.
If Nice Britain win, they may play within the semi-finals on Saturday at 11:00 GMT. The tie can be out there to look at on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site and app.
The ultimate takes place on Sunday at 15:00 and the BBC may have reside protection whether or not GB are concerned or not.
