Great Britain´s Davis Cup campaign to begin in Birmingham

Defending Davis Cup champions Great Britain will begin their quest for back-to-back titles in March 2016 against Japan in Birmingham.

Inspired by Andy Murray, Great Britain ended a 79-year wait for Davis Cup success last month as they beat Belgium in Ghent, the world number two sealing the decisive victory as he beat David Goffin.

A first-round clash with Japan brings a potential encounter with Kei Nishikori for Murray, although lack of practice may hamper the British number one as he expects to take February off for the birth of his first child.

Belgium’s campaign gets under way against Croatia in Liege, while Germany host Czech Republic in Hannover and Argentina travel to Gdansk to face Poland.

The Caribbean island of Guadeloupe will play host to France’s opening-round clash, the nine-time champions up against Canada.

The remaining venues for the other three ties in the first round are yet to be confirmed; Australia, Italy and Serbia having been given extensions to arrange their matches with United States, Switzerland and Kazakhstan respectively.