Australia draw Germany in Davis Cup

Australia will kick off their 2017 Davis Cup campaign by hosting Germany in February, which could see a battle between young guns Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev take centre stage.

Fresh off a crushing semi-final loss to Belgium in Brussels, where Australia lost both the reverse singles, after leading the tie 2-1, the match against Germany looms as a chance for redemption.

Still, getting a win over the Germans should they be fit and firing won’t be easy.

They will most likely be spearheaded by 20-year-old world No.4 Zverev and his wporld No.27 brother Mischa as well as veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber.

The potential match-up between Kyrgios and Zverev could produce a tight contest with the duo playing three times in 2017, with the Aussie twice coming out on top.

Wednesday’s draw handed this year’s finalists France and Belgium, who face off in Lille in November, home ties against Netherlands and Hungary respectively, courtesy of a new rule that allows the previous year’s finalists choice of venue.

Five-times Davis Cup champions Spain will host Britain in the first round of the 2018 competition, which could be a blockbuster.

With the ties, which take place from February 2-4, so soon after the Australian Open, it is unclear whether world number one Rafael Nadal or the man he replaced at the top of the rankings, Murray, will be available.

2017 DAVIS CUP WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND TIES (HOME TEAM FIRST)

* Australia v Germany

* France v Netherlands

* Japan v Italy

* Spain v Britain

* Kazakhstan v Switzerland

* Croatia v Canada

* Serbia v USA

* Belgium v Hungary

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