U.S. to play Austria in 2008 Davis Cup first round

LONDON -- The United States will travel to Austria for the first round of next year's Davis Cup, and Russia has a tough opener against Serbia.

Thursday's draw for the first round of the 2008 World Group comes nearly two months before the United States hosts defending champion Russia in this year's final in Portland, Ore., from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

The United States, Russia, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Sweden, France and Belgium were seeded for the draw, which was made by the International Tennis Federation.

The other first round matchups, set for Feb. 8-10, were: Czech Republic vs. Belgium; Argentina vs. Britain; Israel vs. Sweden; Germany vs. South Korea; Peru vs. Spain; and Romania vs. France.

Serbia, with third-ranked Novak Djokovic, is the most dangerous of the unseeded nations. It reached the World Group for the first time by beating 28-time champion Australia in the playoffs.

The United States has won the Davis Cup title a record 31 times, but not since 1995. Besides last year, Russia also won in 2002.