Dubai: The draw for the opening round of the 2015 Davis Cup World Group threw up some intriguing ties as top seeds and nine-time champions France were drawn away to Germany, a three-time former champion, while Roger Federer’s Switzerland, the second seeds, were pitted against Belgium.
The event brought the curtain down on the International Tennis Federation’s three-day Annual General Meeting which was held at the Madinat Jumeirah.
In a repeat of last year, seventh seeds the United States were pitted against Great Britain, who defeated them 3-1 on clay at San Diego, California.
One of the big match-ups saw two-time semi-finalists Brazil drawn against Argentina in what promises to be a cracking Latin American derby to be played at the four-time runner-up Argentina’s soil.
It is the first meeting between the two nations since 1980 and their first in the World Group.
Third seeds the Czech Republic will begin their campaign at home against Australia, one of the power houses of Davis Cup with 28 wins, while neighbours Croatia host fourth seeds and 2010 champions Serbia.
In other notable clashes eight-seeded Canada face Japan who knocked them out in the first round of this year’s tournament.
Five-times champions Spain, notable absentees from the World Group for the first time in 19 years, await the winners of the Russia vs Denmark tie in the Europe/Africa Zone Group I.
India, who earlier this month were beaten 3-2 by Serbia in the World Group Play-offs 2014, were handed a bye as they begin their campaign in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1.
A three-time Davis Cup runner-up in 1966, 1974, 1987, India await the winner of the China vs Chineses Taipei vs New Zealand clash at the top of the Americas Zone Group II.
