Davis Cup: Rafa’s Spain to face Fed’s Switzerland

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:45

Spain will play Switzerland in the World Group first round of next year’s Davis Cup, getting the 2010 competition started with the mouth-watering prospect of a Federer-Nadal showdown.

The two nations were pitted against one another during Wednesday’s draw in in Geneva. The tie will be hosted by Spain, almost certainly on clay, on March 5-7.

Neither Nadal nor Federer has yet confirmed their commitment to next year’s Davis Cup, with injuries and scheduling problems preventing them from playing in every round of this year’s competition.

But the Australian Open champion has been a regular on the reigning champions’ team when fit, and will be keen to prove his worth ahead of this year’s Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic after missing Spain’s victory over Argentina last year through injury.

And while Federer’s commitment to the Swiss Davis Cup team has often come in second to his individual interests on tour, the Davis Cup is one honour not yet on the 15-time grand slam champion’s CV.

Federer and Nadal have one another played just twice so far in 2009. Nadal reduced Federer to tears after winning the Australian Open final in five sets, while Federer posted his first clay court victory against the Spaniard in two years in the final of the Madrid Masters.

Nadal currently holds a 13-7 career head-to-head lead against Federer.

The other stand-out first-round clash will see Serbia host the USA, which is likely to feature Novak Djokovic taking on Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick for a place against Croatia or Ecuador in the quarter-finals.

Chile will face Israel, while Belgium will take on this year’s finalists the Czech Republic. Spain or Switzerland will meet either France or Germany in the last eight, while Russia host India and Argentina will travel to Sweden.

Meanwhile, Great Britain’s stint in Euro-Africa Zone II will start with an away tie against Lithuania.

Davis Cup 2010: World Group first round draw

Spain vs Switzerland
Germany vs France
Russia vs India
Argentina vs Sweden
Ecuador vs Croatia
Serbia vs United States
Chile vs Israel
Belgium vs Czech Republic

First round ties to be played March 5-7 2010.

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