Tue Sep 23 12:34:46 2008

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U.S. will host Switzerland in '09 Davis Cup opener

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London, England (Sports Network) - When the United States begins its quest for a 33rd Davis Cup title next year, it will face Switzerland in an opening-round tie on home soil, as the 2009 World Group draw was revealed on Tuesday.

The 2007 champion Americans will battle the Swiss from March 6-8, and former world No. 1 superstar Roger Federer is expected to play for the visitors, while another former No. 1, Andy Roddick, is expected to lead the U.S. squad.

Team USA and Switzerland have split two previous meetings, with the Swiss winning their last one, a first-rounder, led by Federer in Basel in 2001.

The Swiss also figure to have world No. 9 Stanislas Wawrinka in the fold in March.

This year's Davis Cup champion will be decided between Rafael Nadal-led Spain and host Argentina in November. In the first round next year, the Spaniards will host Serbia and the Argentines will host The Netherlands.

The other first-round ties will pit Russia against host Romania; France at the Czech Republic; Chile at Croatia; Sweden versus visiting Israel; and Austria at Germany.