The United States' chase for a 33rd Davis Cup title will start against Switzerland, while Spain and Argentina will both play their first matches at home following this year's final.

Tuesday's 2009 World Group draw handed the U.S. a tough opener at home against Switzerland, though it's not certain whether Roger Federer will play in the March 6-8 matches.

The countries split their two prior meetings, with Federer winning three points to lead the Swiss to victory in Basel in another first-round series played in 2001.

But Federer hasn't played in an early Davis Cup series since 2004, preferring to wait until the later rounds. The five-time Wimbledon and five-time U.S. Open champion led Switzerland to a 4-1 win over Belgium last weekend to stay in the elite 16-nation World Group.

Switzerland's other top player is No. 9-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka, who teamed with Federer to win the Olympic doubles gold medal in Beijing.

More tennis: Spaniards win in Beijing

• Tommy Robredo defeated Spanish countryman Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 7-5, and the former top-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain beat Alexandre Kudryavtsev of Russia 6-4, 6-3 in the China Open in Beijing.

• Top-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia advanced to the second round of the Korea Open in Seoul with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Lenka Wienerova of Slovakia.

• Italian tennis player Simone Bolelli was banned by his federation from national team events for skipping last weekend's Davis Cup matches with Latvia and playing tour events instead.

NBA: Wizards sign free agent

• Guard Juan Dixon signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Wizards, returning to the NBA team that drafted him after he led Maryland to an NCAA title.

• The San Antonio Spurs signed first-round pick George Hill. The Spurs took Hill out of IUPUI with the 26th selection, but didn't have to sign him. Hill participated in summer league with the Spurs and had been working out in San Antonio since Aug. 18, despite not being officially signed.

NHL: Knee surgery for goalie

• Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason will be out four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Mason, 20, was the Blue Jackets' second pick and No. 69 overall in the 2006 draft and is considered the franchise's goalie of the future. He is expected to spend this season in the minors because the Blue Jackets have veteran goalies in Pascal Leclaire and Fredrik Norrena on the roster.

• Kris Beech, a forward acquired by Pittsburgh in a trade for Jaromir Jagr, was among 13 players sent down by the Penguins to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. The Penguins cut their roster to 29 players, a number lower than usual so early in the preseason because they will travel to Europe next week to start the NHL regular season. Pittsburgh has two remaining exhibition games before they leave the country.

Other: NASCAR driver dropped

• NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger lost his ride at Red Bull Racing, paving the way for former Formula One driver Scott Speed to replace him next season. Allmendinger is in his second season driving the No. 84 Toyota, but Red Bull opted not to renew his contract for the 2009 season.

• Olympic bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson of the United States won the 400-meter hurdles at the Super Track and Field meet in Kawasaki, Japan. American Miriam Barnes won the women's 400. Damu Cherry of the U.S. took the 100 hurdles.