Djokovic an outside chance to play in Davis Cup doubles

Belgrade: Serbia’s top player Novak Djokovic is an outside chance to play in Saturday’s doubles after the hosts split the opening singles with France in the Davis Cup final on Friday.

Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki are scheduled to play the formidable French duo Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra although team captains can alter their lineups up to an hour before the start of play at 1400GMT. Accordingly, there is a chance that Djokovic could play alongside Zimonjic after beating Gilles Simon to level the tie 1-1 on Friday. Whatever the pairings, the 23-year-old hopes the expected 17,000 crowd will ramp up the noise levels in the Belgrade Arena as Serbia edge closer to a first Davis Cup title. “I think at the end of Janko (Tipsarevic’s) match and my whole match here was a full arena,” Djokovic told reporters. “It was great to see the people coming and supporting us. To have this support at this stage, at this occasion is really relevant for us. I hope we get even better support on Saturday and Sunday because we need the energy the crowd gives.”France captain Guy Forget said he was satisfied with Friday’s outcome after Gael Monfils had given France a great start against Tipsarevic.“I think 1-1, everything is very open for both teams,” he told reporters. “The doubles is very important. I know who’s going to play for my team. I think Novak might be playing doubles tomorrow. That’s my guess.” Bureau Report