Monte Carlo Preview: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner begin two-man, two-month race back to Roland Garros

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Defending champion Serbia staved off elimination from the Davis Cup semifinals by beating Argentina in straight sets in Saturday's doubles.

Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki overcame Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-2 to cut Argentina's lead to 2-1 ahead of the reverse singles on Sunday. Top-ranked Novak Djokovic is expected to play Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the first match.

Djokovic pulled out of the opening singles Friday against David Nalbandian because of back pain, four days after beating Rafael Nadal in the U.S Open final. He was replaced by Troicki, who lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

In the second reverse singles Sunday, U.S. Open quarterfinalist Janko Tipsarevic is expected to face Nalbandian.

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