World Group Draws – 2012 Davis Cup

Written by: Staff on 22nd September 2011

World Group Draws - 2012 Davis Cup

Spain's Davis Cup captain Albert Costa (L-R) and Spanish tennis players Fernando Verdasco, Rafael Nadal, Feliciano Lopez and David Ferrer pose for the media after the Davis Cup semifinal Spain vs. France's fourth and last match at Los Califas bullring in Cordoba, southern Spain, 18 September 2011. Spain defeated France 4-1. EPA/RAFA ALCAIDE |

by: Nathan M. Cuny

After finding a cure to my hangover in Bangkok, Thailand I stopped by the Four Seasons hotel to view the World Group draws for the 2012 Davis Cup. My head was no longer pounding but my heartbeat was, as the excitement escalated. Knowing that the Davis Cup is seeded (scheduled so the strongest teams won’t meet in early rounds) I also knew not to expect an immediate matchup of Argentina and Spain, since the two are the final contenders for the 2011 Davis Cup on the weekend of December 2-4. As I sat in anticipation the ties were finally announced, and by the way, I wasn’t really in Thailand.

The first round ties of the 2012 Davis cup begin the weekend of February 10^th through 12^th. The World Group Draws are as follows:

– 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)

The Kazakhs play the Spaniards on the Spaniards’ own territory for the first round ties of 2012. This will be a first encounter between Kazakhstan and Spain. Hopefully the Kazakhs will have better luck in their second year as part of the World Group, though they are pitted against the possible 2011 Davis Cup Champions.

Austria hosts Russia for the first round of the 2012 ties. Neither team made it past the first round in the 2011 competition for the cup. Both teams regained their places after winning in the 2011 World Group Play-offs.

The French go back to Canada to compete with the Canadians for the first round of 2012. The Canadians’ defeat of Israel gained them promotion into the 2012 World Group.

The United States, 32 time Davis Cup Champions, face Switzerland on the Swiss’ home turf in the upcoming year. The Swiss recently defeated Australia, 3-2, in the 2011 World Group Play-offs, gaining them promotion to the 2012 World Group.

The Czechs host the Italians in the 2012 first round ties. Both teams gained promotion from the 2011 World Group Play-offs into the 2012 World Group. I’m sure the Italians are hoping for better luck than in the 1980 Davis Cup World Group Title Match where they lost, 1-4, on Czech territory.

Sweden journeys to Serbia for the World Group first round ties. Sweden lost to Serbia in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Group, pushing Serbia to the semifinals where they then lost to Argentina.

The promoted Japanese advanced from the 2011 World Group Play-offs to the 2012 World Group first round ties where they host Croatia who also advanced from the 2011 World Group Play-offs. Both teams defeated their 2011 Play-offs opponents 4-1.

The 2011 World Group quarterfinalists, Germany, take on the 2011 World Group finalists Argentina. The possible 2011 Davis Cup champions face the Germans on the German home court.