MOSCOW: Russia's Davis Cup skipper Shamil Tarpishchev on Monday named Andrei Kuznetsov and Karen Khachanov in his team to face hosts Serbia in the Word Group opening round tie.
Kuznetsov and Khachanov, who are respectively 45th and 52nd in the ATP rankings, were named along with Daniil Medvedev and Konstantin Kravchuk to play on hardcourts in Nis from February 3-5.
Tarpishchev, who led Russia to Davis Cup titles in 2002 and 2006, says the encouter with world number two Novak Djokovic, who is expected to spearhead the 2010 champions, will give his players valuable experience.
"We've taken the path towards the rejuvenation of our team," Russia's tennis federation chief Tarpishchev told TASS news agency.
"And the opportunity to take on Djokovic will definitely benefit the players.
"I know that the guys will do their best to win but the most important thing (for us) is to glean experience."
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