Novak Djokovic spurred Serbia to a 3-0 win over neighbours Croatia in the first round of the Davis Cup yesterday.

Britain’s progress to the last eight was put on hold after they lost an enthralling doubles to the US yesterday.

World number one Djokovic, who was a late replacement for Viktor Troicki, teamed up with Nenad Zimonjic to blow away Marin Draganja and Franko Skugor 6-3 6-4 6-1 in Serbia’s central city of Kraljevo.

The home fans were given a scare in the second set when Djokovic received treatment for a cut on his right hand. But they were relieved to see their hero carry on and produce a fine match as 38-year-old Zimonjic rolled back the years.

Having won both their singles against the Americans after Andy Murray beat Donald Young and James Ward staged a heroic comeback against John Isner on Friday, Britain nearly conjured another impressive fightback in the doubles.

Murray’s brother Jamie and Dominic Inglot predictably found themselves two sets down against the world’s top ranked pairing of Bob and Mike Bryan but cheered on by a boisterous crowd in Glasgow, the British duo fought back.

As US captain Jim Courier watched on anxiously from the sidelines, the Bryan twins stretched the tie into a third day with a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-7 9-7 win.

Britain will now rest the bulk of their hopes on Andy Murray beating Isner today.

The winner’s reward will be a last-eight meeting with France, who dismissed Germany after Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut brushed aside Benjamin Becker and Andre Begemann 6-4 6-3 6-2.

Results
France bt Germany 3-0; Britain lead US 2-1; Australia lead Czech Rep. 2-1; Italy lead Kazakhstan 2-1; Argentina-Brazil 1-2; Serbia bt Croatia 3-0; Canada-Japan 1-1; Belgium lead Switzerland 2-1.