11 May 2010 - London
Draw made for World Group play-offs
The draw for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-offs, which are being held on 17-19 September, was made on Tuesday morning in London.
Colombia’s prize for coming through Americas Zone Group I is a home tie against USA, the 32-time champions. The Americans have been a permanent fixture in the World Group since 1989, and they will be favourites to continue that record in this match-up.
Austria travels to Israel, the 2009 semifinalists, with the home team attempting to avoid relegation. The Austrians will be hoping for a quick return to the World Group, having spent six years in the competition’s top tier between 2004 and 2009.
Germany has been drawn at home against South Africa in a battle of two former champions. South Africa last appeared in the World Group in 1998, incidentally losing to Germany. The Germans currently lead 5-3 in the head-to-head series between the two nations.
Two more past champions are also facing off in the play-offs, as Sweden hosts Italy. It will be the 20th meeting between the two nations, with the Italians currently holding an 11-8 edge. Sweden has spent just one year outside the World Group since the current format was introduced in 1981.
Brazil travels to India in search of a first World Group appearance since 2003, when Gustavo Kuerten was in the team. India, meanwhile, reached the top tier this year for the first time since 1998. The head-to-head score is tied at 1-1.
Having already defeated Chinese Taipei and Japan this year, Australia now hosts Belgium with a chance to return to the World Group for the first time since 2007. The two nations have met on three previous occasions, with the Aussies holding a 2-1 lead in the series.
Switzerland will attempt to maintain its place in the World Group with a tricky trip to Kazakhstan. The two nations have never previously met, but the Kazakhstanis are enjoying their best ever run in the competition.
After a one year absence from the World Group, Romania will be hoping for a speedy return when Ecuador is the visitor. The only previous meeting between the two nations came in 2005, when the Romanians claimed a 3-2 victory.
The full draw is as follows:
USA (s) v Colombia (c)
Israel (s) (c) v Austria
Germany (s) (c) v South Africa
Sweden (s) (c) v Italy
India (s) (c) v Brazil
Australia (s) (c) v Belgium
Switzerland (s) v Kazakhstan (c) (*)
Ecuador (s) v Romania (c)
Key:
(s) = seeded nation
(c) = choice of ground
* = choice of ground decided by lot
The World Group play-offs will take place on 17-19 September, alongside the semifinals. The eight winning nations will advance to next year’s World Group first round, while the eight losing nations will compete in their respective Zone Group.
Seedings for the draw were based on the ITF Davis Cup Nations Ranking, which is published after each round of competition. The latest list was created on 10 May.