Davis Cup Final: France vs. Serbia

The Serbs came from 2-1 down to beat the Czechs while the French beat down the Argentines 5-0.  Janko Tipsarevic was the Serbian hero while Tomas Berdych was awful, losing both his singles ties.

Therefore, the first weekend in December Serbia will host France for the Davis Cup.  I have to like to Serbia in this one, assuming Djokovic stays in top form.  Tipsarevic has also been playing well and they will have Zimonjic for the doubles.  France was very good against Spain and Argentina, but Serbia has a more talented team.  A healthy Tsonga would help France's chances.

The World Group Playoffs are also complete, so here are the 2011 Davis Cup zonal group assignments.  Go to the Davis Cup site for the draw the top two zonal tiers and World Group.

World Group

Argentina, Austria*, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Kazakhstan*, Romania*, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United States.

* Teams promoted from zonal competition.  (Kazakhstan is making its World Group debut.)

Europe/Africa Zone

Group 1:  Finland, Israel^, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal*, Slovakia, Slovenia*, South Africa, Switzerland^, Ukraine
Group 2:  Belarus^, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Great Britain, Greece*, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia^, Lithuania, Luxembourg*, Monaco, Morocco, Tunisia
Group 3 Europe:  Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt^, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe
Group 3 Africa:  Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Georgia, Iceland, Macedonia^, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway^, San Marino, Turkey^

* Team promoted from lower group in 2010
^ Team demoted from higher group in 2010

Americas Zone

Group 1:  Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador^, Mexico*, Uruguay
Group 2:  Dominican Republic^, El Salvador, Haiti*, Netherlands Antilles, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico*, Venezuela
Group 3:  Bahamas, Barbados*, Bolivia^, Costa Rica, Guatemala^, Honduras*, Jamaica
Group 4:  Aruba^, Bermuda^, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Virgin Islands

* Team promoted from lower group in 2010

^ Team demoted from higher group in 2010

Asia/Pacific Zone
 
Group 1:  Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand*, Philippines, Taiwan, Uzbekistan
Group 2:  Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran*, Pacific Oceania, Pakistan, South Korea^, Syria, Thailand
Group 3:  Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia^, Myanmar*, Sri Lanka^, United Arab Emirates*, Vietnam
Group 4:  Bangladesh^, Brunei, Iraq, Jordan, Oman^, Qatar, Singapore, Turkmenistan, Yemen
 
* Team promoted from lower group in 2010
^ Team demoted from higher group in 2010
 
I hope someone enjoys looking at those countries.  I do, I think the Davis Cup structure is pretty cool.