Serbia, Britain shrug off star absences in Belgrade quarry

Serbia and Great Britain have shrugged off the absences of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the world's top two players, as they target a Davis Cup semi-final spot on the site of a Roman-era quarry.

Djokovic pulled out of the quarter-final tie after his shock third round exit at Wimbledon and with one eye on the Rio Olympics.

Murray also opted out after winning his second title at the All England Club at the weekend.

"Novak has played so many times for us in the Davis Cup but he is not here this time as he is preparing for the Olympics. We have no issues with that," Serbia captain Bogdan Obradovic told daviscup.com.

"We still have a good team -- but it makes me happy that Murray has pulled out too."

Murray will still be at the weekend tie, but only in the role of a supporter for the defending champions.

"He is gutted not to be playing. He wants to be here to support the team and that says a lot about him," said British team captain Leon Smith.

In the absence of the world's top two players, Janko Tipsarevic will get proceedings underway for the 2010 champions against Kyle Edmund, before Dusan Lajovic faces James Ward.

Nenad Zimonjic and Tipsarevic are due to face Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot in Saturday's doubles before Sunday's reverse singles.

The Tasmajdan stadium, where the tie will take place, is built on the site of a Roman-era quarry which was also a source of saltpeter for gunpowder during the years of the Ottoman empire, according to the Davis Cup site.

Draw for the Davis Cup World Group quarter-final tie between Serbia and Britain in Belgrade from Friday-Sunday:

Friday (1400GMT)

Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v Kyle Edmund (GBR)

Dusan Lajovic (SRB) v James Ward (GBR)

Saturday (1400GMT)

Nenad Zimonjic/Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v Jamie Murray/Dominic Inglot (GBR)

Sunday (1300GMT)

Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v James Ward (GBR)

Dusan Lajovic (SRB) v Kyle Edmund (GBR)