Davis Cup World Group Playoffs set

Earlier today the draw was made in London for the World Group Playoffs (WGP).  Before we get to that, here are last weekend's Davis Cup winners:

Americas Zone:
Brazil def. Uruguay 5-0 so they join Colombia in advancing to the WGP

Europe/Africa Zone:
South Africa, surprisingly, destroys Finland 5-0
Italy wins at the Netherlands 4-1
Romania def. Ukraine 3-1
Austria won earlier this year

Asia/Pacific Zone:
Australia def. Japan 5-0
Kazakhstan wins at China 4-1

Also in the Africa Zonal Group III competition held in Morocco, the host country and Tunisia advance to Europe/Africa Zonal Group II.  The European half of Group III competes this week in Athens.

The WGP draw is as follows:
USA @ COL
AUT @ ISR
RSA @ GER
ITA @ SWE
BRA @ IND
BEL @ AUS
SUI @ KAZ
ECU @ ROU

These eight ties will be contested on 4 continents from September 17-19.  A few early story lines:
-Will Federer show up for the Swiss at an away tie in Central Asia?  Without him, the Kazakhs will have a decent shot at the World Group.
-Israel will have a good chance at staying in the World Group by hosting Austria.
-Will Haas be back to help the Germans?
-Early looks at most of these ties show them very close.  My early predictions:
USA 4 COL 1 -- The USA has too much talent
ISR 3 AUT 2 (close!) -- The Israelis will count on their home ground
GER 4 RSA 1
SWE 3 ITA 2 -- Soderling too powerful and will get help in the doubles
IND 3 BRA 2 (close!) -- Bellucci needs help with the Indians outstanding doubles team
AUS 5 BEL 0 -- Tough away draw for Belgium
SUI 4 KAZ 1 (close!) -- This is assuming Federer shows up
ROU 3 ECU 2 (close!) -- Perhaps the last call for the Lapenttis?

In tour news, Jelena Jankovic is really rounding into form but how about Martinez Sanchez.  I think Jankovic will be Henin's biggest threat at Roland Garros, but a few ladies are playing better, other worse.  See my post at tennis.com message boards on the fall of the Russian dynasty.

Also a big congrats the 2 American finalists in Belgrade.  We will see what Madrid has in store this week.