India drawn against top-seeded Serbia in Davis Cup

NEW DELHI - India will face top seeded Serbia in an away tie in the first round of Davis Cup World Group tie March 4-6, according to the draw announced in Brussels Wednesday.

Having already secured its place in the final in December, Serbia is the top seed in 2011 and has been drawn at home against India in the World Group first round. This year’s other finalist, France, travels to Austria.

Serbia has enjoyed its best Davis Cup run this year and will hope to go into next year’s competition as the defending champion.

India secured a spot in the top tier with a gutsy 3-2 play-off victory over Brazil last week, having come back from 2-0 down in Chennai.

Serbia boasts of World number 2 Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, ranked 34 and Viktor Troicki ranked 47. They also have a strong doubles player in Nenad Zimonjic.

In other meetings, the most successful nation in Davis Cup history, USA, faces another tricky trip to South America. Having just battled past Colombia in the play-offs, the Americans now travel to Chile in the first round.

France holds an unbeaten record against Austria, winning all seven of their previous meetings.

The most recent match-up was a home tie for the French in 2000, which ended in a 5-0 whitewash. Austria recorded a fifth rubber win over Israel to book a place in the World Group.

Last weekend’s beaten semifinalists, Argentina and Czech Republic, have both received home draws against Romania and World Group first-timers Kazakhstan respectively. Meanwhile, Sweden hosts Russia, Spain faces a trip to Belgium and Croatia plays Germany at home.