Davis Cup finalists face tricky openers

 

Originally published on: 22/09/10 17:18

France and Serbia still have over two months to go before they duel in the Davis Cup final from December 3-5, but the 2010 finalists already know who they will face in the opening round of next year’s tournament.

The draw for the 2011 competition was made in Brussels today, pitting top seeds Serbia against India, with France due to travel to Austria for their tie over the weekend of March 4-6.

The USA, the most successful Davis Cup nation in history, face another testing trip to South America. The 2007 champions, who will have a new captain after Patrick McEnroe recently ended his ten-year tenure at the helm, will travel to face Chile, having only recently battled past Colombia in the Play-Offs.

Spain, who lifted the Davis Cup in 2008 and 2009, have also been drawn away from home, against Belgium, while Argentina play host to Romania.

The other world group ties see Russia host Sweden and Croatia travel to Germany.

In Europe/Africa Group II, Great Britain will host Tunisia in the opening match of their 2011 campaign.

World No.420 Marek Jaziri is the only player on Tunisian books ranked  inside the world’s top 1000, so, on paper, the tie should be straightforward enough for Leon Smith’s men.

Victory over the African side would pit them against either Luxembourg or Ireland in the second round, with Great Britain requiring three wins if they are to secure promotion back to Europe/Africa Group I.

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