Tennis: Britain to learn Davis Cup foes today

Andy Murray: Wants home tie. Picture: Getty

A 4-1 win over Croatia at the weekend secured Britain’s place in the World Group of the team competition for the first time since 2008.

Today’s draw, which takes place in London, will determine the teams to face one another in the 2014 competition, with Britain set to face one of the top eight seeds – the Czech Republic, Serbia, Spain, Argentina, France, the United States, Canada or Kazakhstan.

Leon Smith’s men benefited from being able to field an on-form Andy Murray at the weekend, with the world No 3 winning both of his singles matches in straight sets as well as partnering Colin Fleming to doubles success.

Tougher tests await in 2014 but Murray revealed after Sunday’s win that he is not going to worry too much about which country lies in wait next.

He said: “I don’t really mind. There’s certain teams you’d like to avoid but there’s teams we’d have a good chance of winning against. I just want a home tie.

“To get back in the World Group, get a big arena and play against one of the top teams at home would be good,” he added.

Britain’s last outing in the World Group in 2008 ended in defeats by Argentina and Austria, resulting in relegation to Europe Africa Zone Group 1.

The British team are without a win at World Group level since defeating Spain in March 1986.

Meanwhile, Marin Cilic has confirmed he will appeal against his nine-month doping suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Croat was banned on Monday by the International Tennis Federation for testing positive for the banned stimulant nikethamide at the BMW Open in Munich in May.

The 24-year-old released a statement through the Croatian Tennis Association insisting he had never knowingly taken a banned substance.

He said: “I will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) very soon.

“I would like to stress that I have never in my life knowingly or deliberately taken any banned substance.”