BELGRADE, SERBIA: Viktor Troicki stepped into the court to face David Nalbandian in the opening rubber as Novak Djokovic was not fit to play after the effort made at the US Open final. Troicki, world No. 16, would end up losing to Argentina's Davis Cup veteran in four sets.
In the second rubber, Juan Martin del Potro earned a straight-sets victory over Janko Tipsarevic that gave Argentina a 2-0 lead at the end of the first day.
Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki gave the locals some hope by beating the Argentinean couple Juan Ignacio Chela/Juan Monaco on Saturday.
The last day started with good news for the Serbs when Novak Djokovic was confirmed as a substitute for Troicki against J.M. del Potro. However, the world No. 1 had to retire due a back injury when he was one set down.
The full results are listed below:
R1: David Nalbandian (ARG) d. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-3
R2: Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) d. Janko Tipsarei (SRB) 7-5 6-3 6-4
R3: Viktor Troicki / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) d. Juan Ignacio Chela / Juan Monaco (ARG) 7-6(4) 6-4 6-2
R4 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) d. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7-6(5) 3-0 Retired
R5: Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) d. Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-2 0-0 Retired