Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych are among the stars in action as the first round of the 2012 Davis Cup World Group gets underway this weekend.
Federer is the only member of the top four in action this weekend, perhaps reflecting the increased seriousness with which the Swiss legend is treating the Davis Cup these days. Federer inspired Switzerland back into the World Group last year and they should ease past the United States to reach the quarters, with the help of a super slow clay-court in Fribourg.
Defending champions Spain are having to do without Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer this year. Both those guys are focusing on the London 2012 Olympics instead but it shouldn't affect them against minnows Kazakhstan.
Serbia are missing Novak Djokovic but with Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki more than capable of stepping up they should cruise past an almost embarrassingly weak Swedish side.
Germany could take out 2011 finalists Argentina who are badly missing Juan Martin Del Potro. They will need David Nalbandian at his best against the likes of Florian Mayer and Philipp Kohlschreiber on a fast indoor hard court.
And Kei Nishikori will be hoping to build on his Aussie Open heroics to help Japan past Croatia into the World Group quarter-finals.
