Australia, who meet Spain in the final of this year's event, will open their 2001 Davis Cup campaign against Ecuador, the conquerors of Great Britain.

Spain, situated in the bottom half of the World Group draw, must travel to the Netherlands for their first round tie in early February.

The United States travel to Switzerland while Sweden host the Czech Republic and Brazil entertain Morocco.

Britain have been handed a bye in the Euro/African Zone Group I and will play the winner of the match between the Ukraine and either Portugal or South Africa.

World Group draw:

Australia v Ecuador
Brazil v Morocco
Sweden v Czech Republic
Slovakia v Russia
Belgium v France
Switzerland v United States
Germany v Romania
Netherlands v Spain