Russia have recalled Marat Safin for next month's Davis Cup first-round tie against World Group newcomers Serbia.

Former world number one Safin skipped last year's final against the United States in Portland after struggling to find his top form since coming back from a knee injury.

"He's definitely in the team," Shamil Tarpishchev, who doubles as his country's Davis and Fed Cup captain said.

Joining Safin for the February 8-10 clash at Moscow's Luzhniki arena are world number four Nikolay Davydenko, Dmitry Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny, who has moved to a career-high eighth in the rankings after reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Russia, who have won the cup twice since 2002 and reached last year's final, face a stern test against Serbia, led by newly-crowned Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

"It's definitely won't be a walk in the park for us as the Serbs have two Australian Open champions in their team," said Tarpishchev in reference to Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic, who won the mixed doubles title in Melbourne.

Reuters