We found out on Tuesday the opponent for the US in the world group play-off round and it is France.  France is up to 13th in the world rankings while the US has fallen to eighth. We know that the US will host the matchup but the location is still TBD. Personally I vote Omaha, Nebraska… ;).

The USA has an 11-1 all-time record against France in Fed Cup play with the only loss a 4-1 defeat in the 2003 Final. The last matchup went 4-1 to the US in the World Group first round in February 2010 with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Melanie Oudin, Christina McHale, and Liezel Huber representing the US.

France advanced to the World Group Play-off after beating Switzerland 3-2 in Paris in the World Group II in February. Virginie Razzano, Alize Cornet and Kristina Mladenovic appeared for the French team. Their top singles players are Cornet (#25), Mladenovic (#71), Carolina Garcia (#76) and Razzano (#87). Mladenovic is currently the #17 doubles player with Garcia ranked #74.

The US will definitely be favorites in the tie. Home court advantage will help but the biggest question may be which women will agree to play. It is a much better travel situation for US players compared to the last round as the previous three biggest WTA tournaments are on US soil. There is a WTA Premier tournament (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix) in Germany the next week. The US has 11 players in the top 67 in the world so regardless of which four are on the team I expect the US to be favorites.