United States to host Switzerland in 2009 first round Davis Cup match

The Davis Cup World Group first round matches for the 2009 competition have been set. The United States will host Switzerland, in what might be one of the most intriguing first round matches in next year’s competition.

Although it’s obvious the United States will play the country that is home to one of the greatest players of all time, it is not clear if 13-time grand slam champion Roger Federer (pictured) will play in the March 6-8 matches.

Federer has not played in a first round tie since 2004, but did play this past weekend, as he helped lead the Swiss to a 4-1 victory over Belgium. The five-time Wimbledon and US Open champion said next year’s Davis Cup schedule fits better in with the ATP tournament schedule.

“This year it was particularly brutal actually for all of us,” he said. “It has been really difficult. Next year it is going to be easier.”

The Swiss Tennis spokesman Sandra Perez said the team hopes he will play in the first round match against the United States, especially since he will be playing the very next week at the Indian Wells tournament that is being held from March 9-22.

“Roger has said he wants to put the Davis Cup into his calendar, but he wants to see all the details first,” Perez said. “He will do anything possible to be there.”

In other first round matches, Argentina will face the Netherlands, while Spain will host Serbia, as well as the Czech Republic hosting France and Israel taking on Sweden. Germany will welcome Austria, Russia will play at Romania and Chile will travel to Croatia.

Argentina will host Spain in the 2008 Davis Cup finals during the weekend of November 21-23.