Summary Djokovic survived an injury scare and battled back from a set and a break down to win first rubber
Paris (AFP) - Novak Djokovic survived an injury scare and battled back from a set and a break down to help Serbia take a 2-0 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup World Group tie on Friday.
Twelve-time major winner Djokovic, just one of two of the world s top 15 playing in the first round this weekend, dropped the first set and was 0-3 down in the second against promising 20-year-old Daniil Medvedev in Nis.
Djokovic, looking to rebuild his confidence after a shock second round exit at the Australian Open, needed first-set treatment on his right shoulder before recovering for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 lead.
Medvedev dropped the opening game of the fourth set and then retired with cramps.
Earlier, world number 37 Viktor Troicki had given 2010 champions Serbia a winning start, downing 52nd-ranked Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8/6) in a 4hr 30min marathon.
"The pain I had prevented me from playing the points as I wanted to," said Djokovic. "But it s a good victory and we are in a very good position."
The winners of the tie will face either five-time champions Spain or Croatia in the quarter-finals.
Despite missing former US Open champion Marin Cilic, the Croats took the lead in Osijek when world number 223 Franko Skugor stunned 26th-ranked Pablo Carreno Busta 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6).
Roberto Bautista Agut steadied the ship for Spain with the world 16 breezing past Ante Pavic -- ranked at 486 -- 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
Spain are without 14-time major winner Rafael Nadal who skipped the tie after reaching the Australian Open final.
