LONDON — Still riding a wave of euphoria after their Australian Open success, Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic could turn out to be unwelcome guests in Moscow for Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against Russia.

Russia hash proved to be the recent powerhouse in the men’s team competition, winning the title in 2006 and finishing runner-up to the US last December, but its chances of getting past even the first round in 2008 look rather slim.

Facing an in-form team spearheaded by newly crowned Australian Open men’s champion Djokovic and mixed doubles winner Zimonjic, the Russians will enter the hardcourt tie as underdogs even though they enjoy home advantage.

While Serbia can also count on the services of Janko Tipsarevic, who stretched world No. 1 Roger Federer to five sets in the third round at Melbourne Park, Russia will be relying on a trio that has failed to shine in recent months.

World No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko will be joined by Mikhail Youzhny and the more unpredictable Marat Safin, now ranked 61st in the world.

The tie is the most intriguing of eight world group first-round showdowns taking place from Friday to Sunday.

The US has barely had two months to savor its latest triumph, and 32nd in total, before having to fly back to Europe to begin its title defense in Austria.

Team captain Patrick McEnroe has chosen to keep faith with a winning combination with doubles specialists Mike and Bob Bryan joining forces with Andy Roddick and James Blake.

The Americans have won both of their previous meetings against Austria but could find things are not quite to their liking in Vienna, where the hosts have opted for an indoor clay court.

Neither Roddick nor Blake feel at home on clay – neither survived the first round at Roland Garros in 2007 – and the slow surface could instigate their downfall.