Tipsarevic to open for Serbia against Sweden

Ninth-ranked Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia will take on Sweden’s Filip Prpic in the opening match of their Davis Cup first-round series.

The draw on Thursday also pitted 22nd-ranked Viktor Troicki against Sweden’s Michael Ryderstedt in the second singles match on Friday.

“I like much better to play the first match,” Tipsarevic said. “But, still, there should be no relaxing, I must be careful.”

Prpic is confident he can do well.

“I am in good shape, I will do my best,” he said.

Serbia beat Sweden 4-1 in an away match last season.

“It is clear that we are the favorites, at least on paper, but we will have to prove that in court,” Serbia coach Bogdan Obradovic said.

Tipsarevich and Nenad Zimonjich will face Swedish duo Johan Brunstrom and Robert Lindstedt in the doubles match on Saturday, with reverse singles to be played on Sunday.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic is sitting out of the series to rest after winning the Australian Open.