Djokovic believes no one is favourite in Davis Cup final

That's what Djokovic feels of Serbia playing France in Davis Cup final in Belgrade

That's what Djokovic feels of Serbia playing France in Davis Cup final in Belgrade

Belgrade will host this year's Davis Cup final between Serbia and France, the International Tennis Federation announced yesterday.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the Davis Cup World Group semi-final in Belgrade on Sunday. Serbia won the five-match rubber 3-2. pic/AFP

The December 3-5 match-up pits first-time finalists Serbia against nine-time champions France, who last appeared at this stage of the competition back in 2002.

Serbia reached the final for the first time in their 16-year history in the competition after coming from behind to defeat Czech Republic 3-2 in their semi-final in Belgrade at the weekend.

Serbia are bidding to become only the 13th Davis Cup champion nation after a spectacular run to the 2010 final.
The country only made their World Group debut in 2008, winning their first World Group tie earlier this year.

Janko Tipsarevic was the hero of his country's victory over Czech Republic, sending the 17,000 spectators into a frenzy with his 6-0, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory over Radek Stepanek in the deciding rubber. With Novak Djokovic sidelined on the first day, Victor Troicki lost to Stepanek 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in the opening rubber, before Tipsarevic levelled the tie with a 7-5, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Tomas Berdych.

Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic then suffered a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 defeat by Berdych and Stepanek, before the Serb No 1 set up the decisive rubber with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Berdych.

Tipsarevic paid tribute to the home supporters, saying: "Thank you, that's what we needed, you raised us from the dead."

Djokovic added: "Whoever comes to Belgrade won't be the favourite."

France cruised into the final with a 5-0 whitewash of Argentinas in Lyon. Leading 4-0 after Gilles Simon's 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 defeat of Eduardo Schwank earlier in the day, France sealed it as Arnaud Clement beat Horacio Zeballos 7-5, 6-1 in the final singles rubber on Sunday.