Romania will play against Germany in the Fed Cup World Group play-offs scheduled for April 16-17, according to the draw held on Tuesday in London. The encounter will take place in Romania's Cluj-Napoca, according to George Cosac, president of Romania's Tennis Federation.

Both Romania and Germany lost their first round ties last weekend. The Czech Republic defeated Romania 3-2 in Cluj-Napoca while Switzerland beat Germany with the same score in Leipzig.

The Germans won the only previous encounter with the Romanians, back in 1974. This April, Romania’s tennis star Simona Halep could be up against Angelique Kerber in a potential blockbuster clash. Kerber went up to number 2 in the WTA ranking of the best women tennis players in the world after winning the Australian Open this January.

In the other World Group play-offs, Spain will meet Italy, Russia will play against Belarus, and Australia will try to beat USA.

The Fed Cup semifinals will also take place on April 16 and April 17, when the Czech Republic will play against Switzerland and France will try to defeat Netherlands for a spot in the final.

Romania went down to number 9 in the ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com