Isner to make Davis Cup debut for U.S.

BELGRADE, Serbia, March 4 (UPI) -- Power-serving John Isner was given the first singles match for the United States in this weekend's Davis Cup first-round series in Serbia.

Friday's appearance will mark the Davis Cup debut for Isner, who goes against world No. 35 Viktor Troicki in the first singles match. Serbia's Novak Djokovic, No. 2 in the world, squares off against 22nd-ranked Sam Querrey in the second match. Isner is ranked No. 20 this week.

Isner has never before played Troicki while Djokovic is 2-0 against Querrey.

The schedule called for two singles matches Friday, a doubles match Saturday and reverse singles Sunday. The first team to reach three victories earns a Davis Cup quarterfinals spot against either Croatia or Ecuador in July.

The American doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan is ranked No. 1 in the world. Serbia plans to use Nenad Zimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic as its doubles team. Zimonjic is No. 2 in the world when he teams with Daniel Nestor of Canada for ATP Tour events.

This weekend's matches will be played on a red clay court at the Belgrade Arena.