With Serbia crippled by injuries and suspensions, all eyes will be on Novak Djokovic to lead his country to its second Davis Cup title against the defending champion Czech Republic. The second-ranked Serb, who is on a 22-match unbeaten run, has to do what he has done numerous times in the past: win both singles matches to give the small Balkan country a chance in the best-of-five series starting Friday. However, Serbias chances were hit Thursday when Janko Tipsarevic was ruled out of the final with a heel injury. Serbia will also miss Viktor Troicki, the star of the 2010 Davis Cup home victory over France. Troicki is out because of a 12-month suspension for skipping a blood test in April. Thursdays pitted Djokovic against Radek Stepanek and Tipsarevics replacement, Dusan Lajovic, against Tomas Berdych in Fridays opening singles. The doubles are scheduled for Saturday and reverse singles are Sunday. "Its a real drawback for our team that we dont have both Janko and Viktor," Djokovic said. "I hope that I can win the first match, the first point is very important as it could release pressure on Lajovic." The 117th-ranked Lajovic has played only one dead rubber in the Davis Cup, and has no major victories against top players on the ATP Tour. "Im very excited that Ill play on Friday," the 23-year-old Lajovic said. "With the support of the crowd, I could maybe surprise Berdych." Berdych said he has never watched Lajovic play and will try to adjust to his game. "I will do some scouting before the match," Berdych said. "It is good that this is a best-of-five match and Ill have time to adjust." Berdych, who has a 13-1 record in Davis Cup doubles with Stepanek, predicted the doubles will decide the winner. Djokovic said that although he has not played many doubles matches in recent years, he would be ready on Saturday if needed. First, though, he has to focus on the match against Stepanek before deciding whether he would play all three matches in the final. "Stepanek is a very tricky player," Djokovic said of the Czech veteran. "He likes to rush to the net and change rhythm of the match." Stepanek said the fact that hes not favoured to win against Djokovic may help his play. "Im looking forward to it," Stepanek said. "My advantage is that no one expects me to beat Novak." Djokovic has won his last four tournaments, including the ATP finals in London, where he beat top-ranked Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in the final on Monday. The Czechs are in the final for the third time in five years. Sammy Sosa Jersey . Louis and Ryan Kesler have demanded to be traded. Kyle Schwarber Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Keeping The Captain? Brian Giontas agent Steve Bartlett told La Presse on Tuesday that the Montreal Canadiens want to keep their captain - an unrestricted free agent on July 1 - in the fold, while sources tell the paper that the two sides will start talks this week. http://www.authenticcubsteamproshop.com/cubs-steve-cishek-jersey/ . Peko, a fourth-round pick in 2006, started all 16 games and a playoff loss to San Diego last season. He was second on the line with 72 tackles and had a career-high three sacks. Ian Happ Jersey . Tokarski, a somewhat controversial choice -- with his 10 games of NHL experience and all -- to replace an injured Carey Price in Game Two had a night to remember, turning back a Rangers team that was dominating play from the get-go, outshooting the Canadiens 14-4 in the first period and 37-25 overall. Kris Bryant Jersey . Louis Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract.MONTREAL -- Rene Bourque scored in the second period to give the Montreal Canadiens a 2-0 victory over the Flames on Tuesday, ending Calgarys five-game win streak in the process. Carey Price made 27 saves for Montreal (30-21-6) for his fourth shutout of the year and second in four games. David Desharnais added an empty netter for the Canadiens. Reto Berra stopped 25 shots for Calgary (21-28-7). Bourque, in only his second game against his old team, scored the winner for the Canadiens at 16:15 of the second period. Bourque was rather fortuitous on the play, notching his eighth goal of the year when a Brandon Prust pass banked off his left leg and beat Berra. The Flames have now lost four straight on the road. The Canadiens, meanwhile, have yet to lose in regulation this year when leading after two periods (25-0-3). After a scoreless first period, the Flames gave Montreal a scare with a full two-minute, two-man advantage early in the second. With Tomas Plekanec in the box for roughing, as well as Lars Eller for handling the puck on the ensuing faceoff, Calgarys struggling power play took three shots on Price -- none too threatening.dddddddddddd The Habs have now killed off 27 straight penalties. They last allowed a goal while playing shorthanded on Jan. 24 against Detroit. NOTES: Mike Cammalleri made his return to Montreal, playing against his old club for the first time since being traded to the Flames in 2012. ... Berra got the nod in nets in place of Flames starting goaltender Karri Ramo (lower body). Ramo was injured in the first period of Calgarys 4-3 overtime win over Minnesota on Saturday. ... Dale Weise, 25, made his Canadiens debut playing on the fourth line with Ryan White and Michael Bournival. Weise was traded to Montreal from Vancouver for defenceman Raphael Diaz. ... 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