Paris: Britain will travel to Canada for the first round of the 2017 Davis Cup which was drawn on Thursday and casts the 2016 finalists Argentina and Croatia against Italy and Spain.
The 2015 champions Britain — beaten in the semi-finals by Argentina — will travel to Canada while the other semi-finalists, France will voyage to Japan.
Other match-up next March include Belgium against Germany, Switzerland versus the United States and the Czech Republic face Australia.
Serbia travel to Russia in an all-eastern European clash.
Referees at the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which organises the 116-year- old competition, also made the draw for the regional divisions which lead to the world group.
David Haggerty, ITF president, said on Radio France Internationale: “As we look to the 2017 Davis Cup, we look forward to welcoming back Spain and Russia to the world group. They’ll be playing alongside some names we know well such as Germany and Switzerland.”
The draw in London comes as the ITF outlined reforms to the format of the Davis Cup and the women’s equivalent, the Fed Cup.
There is a plan to change Davis Cup matches from the best of five sets and to stage the Davis Cup and Fed Cup finals at a neutral venue.
Haggerty added: “The ITF is looking at ways to enhance the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup. We recognise these both as outstanding competitions with very unique characteristics that make them some of the best tennis and sports competitions in the world.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that they remain great and fit for purpose for the future.”
The Draw
First round — February 3-5, 2017
Argentina v Italy
Germany v Belgium
Australia v Czech Republic
United States v Switzerland
Japan v France
Canada v Britain
Serbia v Russia
Croatia v Spain
