Djokovic to face Stepanek in Davis Cup opener

Belgrade: Novak Djokovic will face Radek Stepanek in the opening singles on Friday when Serbia face defending champion Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final.

In Thursday's draw, Serbian reserve Dusan Lajovic was picked to play Tomas Berdych in the second singles match on a hard court in Belgrade Arena.

Lajovic, ranked 117th, replaces Janko Tipsarevic, who was ruled out of the best-of-five series with a heel injury.

Doubles are Saturday with reverse singles Sunday.

The Czechs are in the final for the third time in five years. Serbia won its only Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, beating France.

The Czechs defeated Serbia 4-1 in the quarter-finals in Prague last year, but Djokovic did not play.