Djokovic headlines Serb team vs. Sweden

HALMSTAD, Sweden, July 7 (UPI) -- Newly minted world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia will take on Swede Ervin Eleskovic in his first singles match of the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Djokovic started his long winning streak last year in the Davis Cup finals, helping Serbia to its first Davis Cup title. He became the No. 1-ranked player in the world Monday, one day after winning his first Wimbledon championship

He'll go against Eleskovic in Friday's second match of the best-of-five series on an indoor hard court in Sweden. Viktor Troicki, No. 16 in the world, will open for the Serbs against Michael Ryderstedt.

Saturday's double match sends Serbs Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic against Sweden's Robert Lindstedt and Simon Aspelin.

The schedule Sunday calls for reverse singles with Djokovic drawing Ryderstedt and Troicki going against Eleskovic.

The Serbs and Swedes had split their eight previous Davis Cup series.

The winner of this weekend's series moves into the Davis Cup semifinals Sept. 16-18 against either Argentina or Kazakhstan.