2012 Davis Cup Draw: US Travels to Switzerland, Spain the Favorites Again?

The 2012 Davis Cup draw was revealed this morning. This year’s finalists Spain and Argentina are seeded on opposite sides of the bracket.

Among the highlights of the 16-team field are USA traveling to Europe to play possibly Roger Federer and his Swiss team. Canada and Milos Raonic will host a deep France squad. Argentina will have to fly long and far for an away tie against a dangerous German team.

Still, if Nadal is healthy Spain has to be the favorites once again. The Spaniards will begin at home against Kazakhstan with Russia in the quarterfinals followed by a tough road tie against France. I’d rate Serbia, who open in Belgrade against Sweden, as the second favorite.

Federer might have to go through the USA, then France, then Spain and then possibly Serbia to win a first Davis Cup. A very tough draw.

First round ties scheduled for February 10-12, 2012:
Spain (s)(c)(*) v Kazakhstan
Russia (s) v Austria (c)
France (s) v Canada (c)(*)
USA (s) v Switzerland (c)
Italy v Czech Republic (s)(c)
Sweden v Serbia (s)(c)
Japan (c)(*) v Croatia (s)
Germany (c) v Argentina (s)