US going to Uzbekistan in Davis Cup playoffs, newcomer Dominican Republic hosts Germany

LONDON(AP) _ The United States will travel to Uzbekistan for the first time among some tough away trips in the Davis Cup World Group playoffs in September.

Winners qualify for the elite 16-nation World Group next year.

In other matchups drawn on Tuesday, 2014 champions Switzerland hosts the Netherlands, 2012 and 2013 champ the Czech Republic goes to India, 2014 semifinalist Italy is at Russia, Japan travels to Colombia, Brazil hosts Croatia, Poland welcomes Slovakia, and the Dominican Republic, in its first World Group playoff, is at home to Germany.

The U.S., the Davis Cup’s most successful team, has been out of the World Group only one year, 1988, in the last 35.

This is the eighth time Uzbekistan has made the playoffs, and has yet to win one. But this will be its first tie at home in 15 years.