Djokovic Returns; France Looks To Continue Davis Cup Run

Davis Cup action continues this weekend with four World Group quarter-final ties. World No. 2 Novak Djokovic looks to continue his Davis Cup success, while Belgium continues their quest for a first title.

SERBIA vs. SPAIN 

Aleksandar Nikolic Arena, Belgrade, Serbia (Indoor Hard)

After a right elbow injury forced him to withdraw from Miami, Djokovic has declared himself fit and ready to go for this tie against Spain. He and Viktor Troicki will have their work cut out for them against a tough Spanish squad led by Pablo Carreno Busta and Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Djokovic has not dropped a set in his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalries against Carreno Busta (1-0) and Ramos-Vinolas (2-0). However, Ramos-Vinolas lead his FedEx ATP Head2Head with Troicki 2-0.

Spain defeated Serbia in their only previous Davis Cup meeting, a 4-1 first-round win in 2009. The Spanish squad went on to win the title that year.

AUSTRALIA vs. UNITED STATES

Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane, Australia (Outdoor Hard)

One of the most celebrated Davis Cup rivalries will be renewed when Australia and the United States square off once again in Brisbane. Team USA leads the Davis Cup head-to-head 26-20 and prevailed at this very juncture last year, scoring a 3-1 quarter-final win on a grass court in Melbourne.

Perhaps the most anticipated match of the tie is the fourth rubber between Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock, which marks their first-ever FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting. Isner leads the FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Kyrgios 2-1, but the Aussie won their most recent meeting this past July in the Atlanta final.

The United States squad will have the luxury of making quality substitutions to their singles lineup if needed, with Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey, both inside the Top 30 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, rounding out their team.

BELGIUM vs. ITALY

Spiroudome de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium (Indoor Hard)

2015 Davis Cup finalists Belgium will have the home crowd on their side as they face a veteran Italian team. Italy leads 5-3 in their Davis Cup head-to-head against Belgium, but lost their most recent meeting in 2000.

The Belgian team will be led by experienced Davis Cuppers David Goffin and Steve Darcis, while Italy will have Paolo Lorenzi and Andreas Seppi flying the flag in singles.

Goffin leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head with Seppi 2-0, with both wins coming in 2015. Darcis is even in his FedEx ATP Head2Head with Seppi at 1-1, but won their most recent match this February in Sofia. He trails Lorenzi 0-1 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head.

FRANCE vs. GREAT BRITAIN

Kindarena, Rouen, France (Indoor Clay)

The French squad is hopeful that slow clay will blunt the power hitting from Team GB. The Brits lead their Davis Cup head-to-head 12-9 and won their most recent tie in 2015, a 3-1 quarter-final victory on grass in London.

Rising stars Kyle Edmund and Daniel Evans will lead the way in singles for Great Britain as they face World No. 17 Lucas Pouille and veteran Jeremy Chardy. Edmund defeated Pouille this January in Brisbane, but the remaining singles encounters will all be first-time FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings.

The doubles rubber could play a meaningful role in which team prevails, with Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut squaring off against Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray.