Photo by Christophe Archambault /AFP/Getty Images
In one of the most intriguing match up in the 2012 Davis Cup World Group, the United States will travel to Switzerland in an opening-round tie next year, as the 2012 Davis Cup World Group draw was announced on Wednesday.
The 32-time champion Americans, with Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick, and Switzerland, with 16-time major champion Roger Federer, will face each other for the fourth time, with USA leading the all-time series, 2-1. The U.S. beat the Swiss, who were playing without Federer, 4-1 in an opening-round clash in Alabama two years ago.
This year’s finalists, Spain and Argentina, are automatically the top seeds for 2012. The two countries will meet in December for the 2011 finale, in Spain.
Four-time champion Spain will be at home against Kazakhstan in February, while Argentina will visit three-time champion Germany. The Argentines, who will be seeking their first Davis Cup title, upset defending champion Serbia 3-2 last week to reach the 2011 final.
In the remaining 2012 match ups, nine-time winner France will travel to Canada, while the current defending champion Serbs will host Sweden. The remaining ties will see Austria hosting Russia, the Czech Republic hosting Italy, and Japan hosting Croatia.
All eight first-round matchups will be held from February 10-12.
The Official Davis Cup Press Release is seen below.
Press Release
BANGKOK, THAILAND: The Draw for the 2012 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group was made on Wednesday at the Four Seasons hotel in Bangkok. The first round ties will be played on 10-12 February.
This year’s finalists Spain and Argentina, the top two seeds for 2012, received contrasting fortunes in the Draw, while the pick of the ties sees 32-time champions USA travel to Switzerland.
Spain, fresh from booking their place in the final with a 4-1 win over France at the weekend, will be at home against Kazakhstan in a first meeting between the two nations. The Kazakhs made their World Group debut in 2011 and went on to reach the quarterfinals.
Argentina, who defeated defending champions Serbia 3-2 to reach the final, face a tricky away clash with Germany. The Argentines lead their series 5-2, although they were whitewashed 5-0 the last time the two nations met on German soil, in 1991.
Switzerland and USA will be doing battle for the fourth time when they go head-to-head, and home advantage has always proved pivotal in the past with the Americans holding a 2-1 advantage. The Swiss only gained promotion to the World Group on Monday when they finally sealed a 3-2 victory over Australia after bad light stopped play on Sunday.
Another intriguing match-up sees France travel to newly promoted Canada, while defending champions Serbia are at home against Sweden. The remaining ties see Austria welcome Russia, Czech Republic host Italy, and Japan face Croatia.
WORLD GROUP
- Spain (s)(c)(*) v Kazakhstan
- Russia (s) v Austria (c)
- France (s) v Canada (c)(*)
- USA (s) v Switzerland (c)
- Italy v Czech Republic (s)(c)
- Sweden v Serbia (s)(c)
- Japan (c)(*) v Croatia (s)
- Germany (c) v Argentina (s)
KEY
- [s] Seed
- [c] Choice of Ground
- [*] Decided by lot
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