Djokovic-led Serbia beats Kazakhstan 3-2 in Davis Cup

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Viktor Troicki swept past Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 as Serbia defeated Kazakhstan 3-2 in their first-round Davis Cup tie Sunday. The winner will face Britain in the next round.

Earlier, Novak Djokovic rallied to beat Mikhail Kukushkin 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 of Kazakhstan as Serbia came back to even the match 2-2.

"I was nervous," Troicki said. "Thank you Novak for the amazing victory."

Top-ranked Djokovic, recovering from an eye infection but also struggling with apparent thigh problems, fought back in the 4-hour, 57-minute match played before the final rubber of the five-match series.

"This is probably the most psychologically and physically difficult match in my career," Djokovic said. "Kokushkin played so well that he probably deserved to win."

Britain's Andy Murray beat Kei Nishikori in five sets to give the defending champions a 3-1 win over Japan in the first round Sunday.

Djokovic and Murray, currently the top-ranked players, are likely to face each other in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup in Serbia in July.