The world number 12 will start as favourite to defeat a player 37 places below him in the world rankings, particularly after beating him at the US Open earlier this year.
However, Tipsarevic - who defeated both Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek in the semi-finals - will be able to rely on the feverish support of the fans at the Belgrade Arena.
"If Gael thinks I'm going to be more nervous than him in front of 18,000 Serbs he better think again," said the recently-married Belgrade resident who made his Davis Cup debut for the former Yugoslavia in 2000.
"Of course we are both under pressure and he is no doubt a very good Davis Cup player but I honestly don't think he can be completely relaxed in front of a passionate home crowd."
However, Monfils believes he can put the first point on the board for France.
"I'm happy to play first," Monfils said. "If I bring the first point in it will put more pressure on Novak and Gilles can play a better match if we're 1-0. So I think it's good for the team."
Novak Djokovic takes on Gilles Simon in Friday's other singles match.
Simon was favoured by France coach Guy Forget ahead of Michael Llodra in the second singles rubber, although the world number 42 faces a stiff task against Djokovic, ranked number three.
Llodra will team up with Arnaud Clement for Saturday's doubles encounter, when the French pair will meet Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki.
Both team captains have the choice of making changes to their doubles teams up to one hour before the start of the match. The same rules applies to Sunday's reverse singles.
France are seeking a 10th Davis Cup title, while the emerging Serbs
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