Australia will face reigning champions Czech Republic in a testing start to their 2013 Fed Cup campaign.

Australia, who secured a berth in the elite eight-nation World Group next year with a 3-2 win over Germany in Stuttgart in April, will play their first round tie in Europe on February 9-10.

Samantha Stosur and Jarmila Gajdosova impressed against the Germans this year, easing to an unbeatable 3-0 advantage before the hosts took two dead rubbers, but their next battle is likely to be a greater challenge.

Czech Republic, led by Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, claimed the 2011 Fed Cup and are short-priced favourites to triumph again when they host Serbia in this year’s final in November.

Should Australia upset Czech Republic next year, they’ll advance to the semi-finals on April 20-21, with the final slated for November 2-3.

The other first-round 2013 Fed Cup encounters will feature Italy hosting the United States, Japan at Russia, and Slovakia at Serbia.

The International Tennis Federation announced the draw on Wednesday in Paris.