Melbourne VIC, Australia, 21 September 2017 | tennis.com.au

For the second straight year, Australia and Ukraine will go head-to-head in the Fed Cup.

In February this year, Ukraine defeated the Aussies 3-1 in the first round of World Group II in Kharkiv. Twelve months on, they’ll meet at the same stage of the competition – this time on Australian soil.

Australia retained its place in World Group II when it thrashed Serbia 4-0 in a play-off tie in Zrenjanin in April.

Unlike the Davis Cup’s 16-nation World Group, the Fed Cup splits its top 16 nations into two tiers of World Group; to reach World Group I, Australia must beat Ukraine and win a play-off tie in April, to then take its place in the top tier of the competition in 2019.

Australia will host Ukraine on 10-11 February 2018.

FED CUP 2018

World Group first round

(10-11 February, home nation listed first)

Belarus v Germany
Czech Republic v Switzerland
France v Belgium
Netherlands v USA

World Group II first round

(10-11 February, home nation listed first)

Slovakia v Russia
Australia v Ukraine
Romania v Canada
Italy v Spain