U.S. drawn against Australia in Fed Cup playoffs

LONDON (AP) The United States will travel to Australia in April as they try to win back their place in the top tier of the Fed Cup.

The Americans and Australia were drawn on Tuesday in the World Group play-offs from April 16-17.

In other pairings, Germany travels to Romania, Spain hosts four-time champion Italy and Belarus is in Russia.

Australia defeated Slovakia last weekend to advance to the playoff round while the U.S. downed Poland without No. 1-ranked Serena Williams.

The Americans' record 17th and last Fed Cup title was in 2000.