After this weekend’s recent Davis Cup action, the draw for the upcoming World Group play-off round was made with some exciting prospects thrown up. The main highlights feature Spain making the trip to India, whilst Uzbekistan will look to make the World Group for the first time in their history as they host Switzerland. Elsewhere, two other nations will look to reach the top level of Davis Cup action, as Ukraine travel to Japan and Poland face Germany.
Spain travel to India, Uzbekistan aiming to make history
Arguably the highlight of the draw is India hosting the five-time champions Spain, who will look to call upon their vast array of talent to make the World Group for the first time since 2013. India has had even longer to wait for another chance at the title, with their last appearance coming back in an opening round defeat to Serbia in 2011. Their chances of overcoming the Spanish are unlikely, with the doubles expected to be their only rubber success with a team of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna to use. The two nations have not met since 1965, with Spain edging the head-to-head 2-1.
2014 champions Switzerland will head to Uzbekistan in the knowledge that their hosts have never previously won a play-off match in eight previous ties. The Swiss were heavily beaten by Italy in the World Group earlier this year, but were without Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, the heroes of their triumph two years ago. If either, or both, of the Swiss greats play, then it will be a huge surprise to see Uzbekistan claim their first ever spot in the World Group, but with Denis Istomin likely to lead the team, they’ll be hoping to pull off a major upset.
Poland and Ukraine look to reach the World Group for the first time
As well as Uzbekistan, Poland and Ukraine have never previously played in the World Group, and both face tricky away trips to try and change the record books. Poland has made the play-offs twice before but were drawn to travel to the three-time winners Germany. Japan will host Ukraine, with the Japanese having the experience of reaching the quarterfinals just two years ago, as they breezed past Canada 4-1 in the first round.
Although the two nations have not met since 1977, Germany lead Poland 2-1 in their head-to-head, whilst this will be Japan and Ukraine’s first ever encounter.
Rest of the draw
Elsewhere in the draw, 28-time champions Australia will take on 2005 runners-up Slovakia, with the sides never previously meeting. Slovakia is likely to challenge their illustrious hosts closely, but a side who can call upon the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic should fancy their chances. Last year’s runners-up Belgium are likely to prove too strong at home to Brazil with David Goffin in their ranks, whilst two-time champions Russia will meet Kazakhstan having never met previously.
Chile will look to get back into the World Group for the first time in four years, as they lock horns with Canada for the ninth time in their history with the pair deadlocked at 4-4. Chile edged their previous match 3-2, but the Canadian’s have to be fancied fourteen years on, due to being able to call upon the likes of recent Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic.
All World Group play-off ties will be played on the weekend of September 16th-18th later this year.
