London, England (Sports Network) - The United States will play host to Brazil
in its opening-round Davis Cup tie next year, as the 2013 World Group draw was
revealed Wednesday.
The Americans are fresh off their 3-1 semifinal loss at the hands of reigning
champion Spain in Gijon last week.
Team USA is 3-1 all-time versus the Brazilians, including a victory in their
last meeting, a first-round tie in Brazil in 1997. The two nations first met
in 1932, with the U.S. posting a 5-0 win at Forest Hills, the former home of
the U.S. Open.
The United States boasts a record 32 Davis Cup titles, with its last one
coming in 2007. The Americans won the inaugural prestigious team competition
way back in 1900.
The mighty top-seeded Spaniards, meanwhile, will open up on the road against
Canada from February 1-3. Spain beat the Canadians in their lone meeting, in
Spain, in 1991.
Spain beat Argentina in last year's World Group finale in Seville, as
the powerful Spaniards have won three-of-four and five of the last 12 Davis
Cup titles.
This year's final will pit Spain against the host Czech Republic from November
16-18. The Czechs will open their 2013 campaign at Switzerland, which could
have the great Roger Federer on hand.
The other 2013 opening-round matchups will pit Croatia against host Italy;
2010 champion Serbia versus host Belgium; France against visiting Israel; host
Argentina versus Germany; and Austria against host Kazakhstan. The Argentines
succumbed to the Czechs 3-2 in last week's other 2012 semifinal, in Buenos
Aires.
The Sports Network