U.S. to Open ’01 Davis Cup Play in Switzerland

The U.S. Davis Cup team, which traveled to Zimbabwe and Spain this year in John McEnroe’s debut season as captain, is headed across the Atlantic again.

Thursday’s 2001 Davis Cup draw in New York matched the United States against Switzerland in the first round, with the site for the Feb. 9-11 competition to be determined by the Swiss.

If the Americans win, they’ll play France or Belgium in the second round, also in Europe, in April.

“We are anticipating a tough and exciting match and are looking forward to a new year,” said McEnroe, whose team lost to Spain, 5-0, in this year’s semifinals. “Our 1992 match against Switzerland in the final was the most emotional match of my career.”

McEnroe paired with Pete Sampras that year to defeat Marc Rosset and Jakob Hlasek, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2, giving the United States a 2-1 lead on its way to a 3-1 victory at Fort Worth.

Switzerland lost in the first round this year to Australia, 3-2, after taking a 2-1 lead into the final day. Mark Philippoussis defeated George Bastl, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the decisive match.

Australia and Spain will meet in the 2000 final Dec. 8-10 at Barcelona.