The 2015 Davis Cup World Group draw ceremony took place on Thursday in Dubai and it produced a rematch of this year’s first-round tie between the United States and Great Britain. Team USA, which lost to the visiting Brits in San Diego, Calif., will go on the road March 6-8 of next season at a specific site to be determined.
Led by Andy Murray, Great Britain pulled off the 2014 upset at the expense of an American squad that was without John Isner. Sam Querrey attempted to lead the way in singles for the host nation but his day-one loss to James Ward proved to be its undoing.
The United States vs. Great Britain rivalry is the oldest in Davis Cup history, dating back to the first competition in 1900. In 19 career meetings, the USA owns an 11-8 head-to-head record. It had won four consecutive ties against Great Britain prior to the 2014 setback. The winner of next year’s tie will advance to the World Group quarterfinals July 17-19. The losing nation will compete in the World Group playoffs next September.
Team USA just won its 2014 playoff tie last weekend against Slovakia in Chicago, Ill. The victory ensured that it will compete in the World Group for a 27th straight year dating back to 1989. No nation is enjoying a longer uninterrupted stay in the highest category of Davis Cup competition. The Americans last won a Davis Cup title in 2007, when they defeated Russia in the final. They have since lost twice in the World Group semifinals, to Spain in both 2008 and 2012.
Thursday’s draw also revealed another round-one rematch between Japan and Canada. Japan rolled over a depleted Canada squad to kick off the 2014 event, but the Canadians–presumably with Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil back on board–will have home-court advantage this time around.
France, which is hosting Switzerland in this year’s final, will travel to Germany in March of 2015. Switzerland also has to go on the road, having drawn David Goffin and the Belgians.
Also on the slate are two match-ups that should feature wild atmospheres and plenty of drama. Argentina is hosting Brazil in a South American showdown and Serbia is hosting Croatia. None of those four teams reached the second round in 2014. Brazil and Croatia were not even in the World Group, while Argentina fell right away to Italy and Serbia lost at Switzerland.
Rounding out the first-round schedule next year, Australia will visit the Czech Republic and Italy will be at Kazakhstan.
The Draw for the 2015 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas was held at the ITF AGM in Dubai on Thursday.
Individual draws were made for the 2015 World Group, Americas Zone Groups I and II, Asia/Oceania Zone Groups I and II, and Europe/Africa Zone Group I. The draw for Europe/Africa Zone Group II will be held following the two remaining Davis Cup play-off ties on 24-26 October.
The 2015 World Group dates are as follows:
World Group first round: 6-8 March
World Group quarterfinals: 17-19 July
World Group semifinals and play-offs: 18-20 September
World Group Final: 27-29 November
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 122 nations taking part in 2014. The competition is 114 years old having been founded in 1900. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Rolex (Official Timekeeper) Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) and NH Hotels (Official Hotel), while Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) is an international partner. Follow all the action on www.daviscup.com, www.copadavis.com, www.twitter.com/daviscup, www.facebook.com/DavisCupTennis and www.daviscup.tv
2015 Draws
World Group
First round (6-8 March)
Germany [c] v France [s]
Great Britain [c] v USA [s]
Czech Republic [s] [c] v Australia
Kazakhstan [c] [*] v Italy [s]
Argentina [s] [c] v Brazil
Serbia [s] [c] v Croatia
Canada [s] [c] v Japan
Belgium [c] v Switzerland [s]
Americas Zone Group I
First round (6-8 March)
Colombia [s] v Bye
Uruguay v Bye
Barbados [c] v Dominican Republic
Ecuador [s] v Bye
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
First round (6-8 March)
Uzbekistan [s] v Bye
Thailand [c] v Korea, Rep.
China, P. R. v Chinese Taipei or New Zealand
India [s] v Bye
Europe/Africa Zone Group I
First round (6-8 March)
Spain [s] v Bye
Russia [c] v Denmark
Netherlands [s] v Bye
Austria v Latvia or Sweden
Slovakia [c] [*] v Slovenia
Romania [c] v Israel [s]
Poland [c] v Lithuania
Ukraine [s] v Bye
Americas Zone Group II
First round (6-8 March)
Venezuela [s] [c] [*] v Costa Rica
Puerto Rico [c] v El Salvador [s]
Mexico [s] [c] [*] v Bolivia
Chile [s] [c] v Peru
Asia/Oceania Zone Group II
First round (6-8 March)
Chinese Taipei or New Zealand [s] v Lebanon
Philippines [s] [c] v Sri Lanka
Indonesia [s] [c] v Iran
Pakistan [s] [c] v Kuwait
Key
[s] = Seeded nation
[c] = Choice of ground
[*] = Choice of ground decided by lot
The home nation is listed first for each tie.
Topics: 2015 Davis Cup, Great Britain, Ricky Dimon, tennis draws, United States
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