PARIS, Sept 13: China will travel to Russia in a tough Fed Cup World Group first-round tie in 2009.

Russia, who will be bidding for a fourth Fed Cup title this weekend against Spain in Madrid, will have home advantage over the 2008 losing semi-finalists.

Spain, without a Fed Cup title since 1998, face an away trip to the Czech Republic.

2009 Fed Cup World Group first round draw: Russia v China, Italy v France, Argentina v US, Czech Republic v Spain.—AFP