Switzerland to face Italy for right to remain in Davis Cup's top tier

LONDON (AP) -- With or without Roger Federer, Switzerland must travel to Italy in September to try to keep its spot in the top tier of the Davis Cup.

Italy and Switzerland were drawn Tuesday to face each other in the World Group playoffs. Italy is the home team for the Sept. 18-20 best-of-five series.

With Federer missing due to a bad back, Switzerland lost 4-1 to the U.S. in the opening round in Alabama in March.

Italy beat Slovakia 4-1 in a Europe/Africa zonal group match to qualify for the World Group playoffs.

The eight playoff winners advance to the 2010 16-team World Group.

Elsewhere: the Netherlands hosts France, Novak Djokovic's Serbia is at home against Uzbekistan, Romania travels to Sweden, and India goes to South Africa. Also, it's Chile vs. Austria, Belgium vs. Ukraine and Brazil vs. Ecuador.

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