Novak Djokovic is expected to step in to try and rescue Serbia in the fourth rubber of their Davis Cup semi-final with Argentina.
Djokovic flew into Belgrade on Thursday morning but the recently crowned US Open champion has been sidelined from the tie so far with lower back and rib pain after the exertions of last week's brutal final with Rafael Nadal. Djokovic was in no fit state to take to the court on Friday and his absence from Saturday's must-win doubles rubber emphasized his condition.
As it was, Viktor Troicki stepped up to partner Nenad Zimonjic to a 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco, roared on by a partisan crowd.
Troicki is ready to assume the challenge of trying to beat Del Potro on Sunday morning, but like all Serbians, he is hoping Djokovic will be fit. "We are all hoping that Novak will be fit and that he will play tomorrow but either way, I am ready to step in again if called upon," Troicki told the media on Saturday. "This win has boosted my confidence after a poor performance in the opening singles against David Nalbandian and we know our fans will be pumped up for the reverse singles.”
Djokovic has not played a Davis Cup singles rubber for his country since the final last year but his country badly need him today especially given the way Del Potro played to see off Janko Tipsarevic on Friday afternoon.
Djokovic leads their head-to-head 4-0 and beat the Argentine in four sets at the French Open this season, a record which gives the home fans plenty of hope.
