3 Dec 2010

Simon handed Djokovic in Davis Cup

7:20 am on 3 December 2010

France's hopes of striking an early psychological blow in their bid for a tenth Davis Cup tennis crown suffered a potential setback when Gilles Simon drew Serbia's world number three .

Simon, ranked 42 in the world, has beaten Novak Djokovic only once in their six previous meetings although France is hoping the hard indoor surface at the Belgrade Arena will suit his style of play.

Frenchman Gael Monfils meanwhile could help balance tonight's opening day when he opens the tie against Janko Tipsarevic.

Monfils, the world number 12, flopped at the Davis Cup last year during a playoff against the Netherlands but has been far more solid this year and recently beat Tipsarevic at the US Open.

France captain Guy Forget produced no surprises in naming Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement for Sunday's doubles encounter, when the French pair will meet Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki.