Madrid (AFP)

It will be a group match ... with knockout Thursday between France and Serbia, led by Novak Djokovic and who crashed on Wednesday without almost noticing Japan who had given so much trouble to the Blues the day before the opening of the Davis Cup new formula.

This confrontation will determine the first group A, only qualified for the quarter-finals. The loser will have to wait until the end of the group stage to know if he is one of the two best second who will also go to the quarter. And with the point conceded in Japan, the French are unlikely to be part of it.

"The last time we played Serbia, it was without Djokovic (victory of the Blues 3-1 in Lille in 2017 in the semi-finals), says Pierre-Hugues Herbert. answered this, it's up to us to create the feat. "

Indeed, without even shining, the Djoker beat (6-1, 6-2) Yoshihito Nishioka, the same one who had instilled doubt in the Blues by beating Gael Monfils Tuesday to allow Japan to equalize (1 -1) after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's victory over Yasutaka Uchiyama (6-2, 6-1).

With Filip Krajinovic's wins over Yuichi Sugita (6-2, 6-4) and Serbian double Janko Tipsarevic-Viktor Troicki over Ben McLachlan-Yasutaka Uchimuya (7-6, 7-6), Serbia beat Japan 3-0 when France snatched a 2-1 victory.

- Monfils or Pair? -

But Djokovic did not show himself particularly serene at the idea of ​​facing the men of Sébastien Grosjean.

"It's probably one of the biggest challenges of the competition: playing against France, one of the most successful nations in the Davis Cup, and certainly one of the strongest teams," he said. he commented.

The question that arises is whether or not Monfils will be established after his debacle in the first match. He himself was not sure of playing against Serbia. What's more, if he is N.1 of the team as against Japan, he should be in front of Djokovic.

"I did not make a very good performance, like my end of season, recognized the French." Is it more likely to bring the point against Novak? it's a team sport, being on the bench is not a punishment, I will not have a problem supporting my friends. "

Djokovic does not ask this question because, he says, "France has so many players that it can line up two or three different teams, with players who can play singles as well as doubles."

- "We believe in" -

If the captain's choice for singles can be complicated, with the possibility to launch Benoît Paire in the battle, the double is not controversial when Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut are there.

"We will try to do our best in the singles because for the double, we will face the best pair of the moment and it will be really difficult," said Nole.

The Blues, for their part, believe like Tsonga that "there is room to go for the win."

"Djokovic is an outstanding player and behind, they have players of simple quality, but we have arguments.We go with the knife between the teeth," he said.

Especially as they have an example to follow: the Blue did not she overthrown Australia led by World No.1 Ashleigh Barty, at home, there are ten days in the final of the Fed Cup?

"Thanks to the Fed Cup and the girls, everything is possible and we believe it," said Herbert.

© 2019 AFP