Djokovic pulls out

Serbia star Novak Djokovic (2nd from L) listens to the national anthems during the opening ceremony of their Davis Cup quarterfinal against Russia in Moscow on Friday.Photo: AFP

Serbia's hopes of defeating Russia in a Davis Cup World Group first round tie were dealt a potentially fatal blow on Friday when Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic was forced to pull out of the opening rubber.
The world No.3 had been due to play Mikhail Youzhny but had been suffering from flu-like symptoms all week and was forced to withdraw, the official Davis Cup website said.
With Serbian No.2 Janko Tipsarevic also sidelined with a stomach bug, the visitors were forced to field doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic to play Youzhny.
The second singles on Friday sees Russia's world No.4 Nikolay Davydenko take on the little-known Victor Troicki.
Serb officials were quoted as saying they hoped Djokovic would be fit enough to play in Saturday's doubles and the reverse singles on Sunday.