The Davis Cup World Group semi-finals and playoffs are underway this weekend.
There's plenty of high quality Davis Cup action this weekend with Argentina travelling to Belgrade to face a Serbia team looking to reach a second straight final. Exhaustion has forced Novak Djokovic to miss the opening day of the tie and it could open up an opportunity for David Nalbandian and Juan Martin Del Potro.
Elsewhere, last year's runner-ups France will need a minor miracle to overcome Spain. On clay, Rafael Nadal ensures an almost guaranteed two points and with David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez making up the rest of the team, they have no shortage of star power to finish the job. France are badly missing Gael Monfils and they will do well to keep it competitive.
Australia and Switzerland clash in an old school tie, held on grass courts down under. Switzerland will be looking to the prowess of six time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer to get them back in the world group and the legendary Swiss star may have an eye on mounting a serious challenge to take his country all the way next year.
The Czech Republic have only been out of the World Group once since 1981 and with Tomas Berdych leading them against a weakened Romania side, they are heavy favourites. Down in South Africa there's an intriguing tie against 2005 champions Croatia who are fielding a rejuvenated Marin Cilic.
So plenty to watch as the sport's premier team competition builds towards the finale in December.
