( CNN ) -- Davis Cup champions Serbia will be without world No . 3 Novak Djokovic as they begin the defense of their title in the men 's team competition against India this weekend . The Australian Open champion led Serbia to an historic victory over France in front of a home crowd in Belgrade in the 2010 final , but has chosen to focus on his preparations for the U.S. hard-court season rather than join his teammates for the March 4-6 first-round world group tie . However , the 23-year-old insisted that his teammates -- world No . 18 Viktor Troicki , 45th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic and double 's specialists Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic -- remain favorites to secure victory on indoor courts in Serbia 's second city Novi Sad . `` Unfortunately , this time I wo n't be part of the Davis Cup team . Together with my teammates and captain , I decided to rest this time but I am confident that they will win this tie and they have my full support , '' Djokovic said in a statement on his official website . '100 percent ' fit Nadal returns to the fray in Davis Cup tie . `` I feel physically well , fit , and mentally motivated to do even more coming up to tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami where I have n't done well in the last years . So I really want to work hard and get some good results in the US , '' he added . The Indian team will be made up world No . 93 Somdev Devverman , Rohan Bopanna and doubles specialists Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes -- fresh from their final appearance in Melbourne . In other top tier Davis Cup ties beginning on Friday , world No . 1 Rafael Nadal is set to make a return to action for the first time since the Australian Open when 2009 champions Spain travel to underdogs Belgium . World No . 8 Andy Roddick will also make his first appearance in the Davis Cup since 2009 to lead the United States team against Chile , while defending champions France travel to Austria to play in the tournament 's most unusual venue -- an airport hangar on the outskirts of Vienna . Elsewhere , at the WTA Malaysia Open , former world no . 1 Dinara Safina suffered another setback in her bid to get back to the top of the women 's game on Thursday as she lost a tight three setter to fifth-seed Lucie Safarova . The Russian , who has dropped to 113 in the world rankings , took the second set off the Czech world No . 35 before eventually losing 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the second round of the hard court tournament . Second seed and former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoil -- the highest ranked player left in the draw following the shock first round exit of world no . 6 Francesca Schiavone -- progressed to the third round with a 6-2 6-1 win over Ekaterina Ivanova . There was also a win for fourth seed Jarmila Groth of Australia who defeated Japan 's Miskai Doi 7-6 6-3 but third seed Alisa Kleybanova was knocked out by world No . 150 Michaella Krajicek 3-6 6-4 6-3 .
Rafael Nadal to miss Serbia 's opening Rafael Nadal tie to focus on India hard-court season . Defending champions face India at home in world group tie without world No . 3 . Novak Djokovic returns to action in team competition this weekend after injury . Former world No . 1 Dinara Safina loses in 45th round of Malaysia Open .