India face Russia in Davis Cup opener next year

Back in the World Group after an 11-year gap, India was on Wednesday handed a tough Davis Cup draw and will take on fourth seeds and former champions Russia in an away first-round tie scheduled for March 5 to 7.

Unseeded India made the World Group after a convincing 4-1 win over South Africa on Sunday, while Russia lost by the same margin to Israel in the World Group quarter-finals.

India's non-playing captain S P Misra admitted that the draw is tough.

"It will be tough. I have heard that it's freezing cold at that time there and they will play us on clay in an indoor court. That surface does not suit us. But we have five months to prepare, we will take care of all these things," Misra said.

Misra said they were hoping for a home tie but luck did not favour them.

"We have played two away ties, first against Chinese Taipei and then South Africa. We were hoping for a home tie this time around, but we can't do much. It's okay," he said.

The last time India competed in the World Group was in 1998 when they lost to Italy. India have thrice made the final of Davis Cup but never won the title.

The draw for the World Group ties:

First round ties: March 5-7, 2010.

Spain v Switzerland

Germany v France

Russia v India

Argentina v Sweden

Ecuador v Croatia

Serbia v United States

Chile v Israel

Belgium v Czech Republic