Tennis: Davis Cup seeding for Britain

GREAT BRITAIN'S chances of regaining their place in the World Group of the Davis Cup next year were boosted yesterday when they were seeded in the Euro/Africa Zone One.

Britain, relegated from the World Group after being beaten 4-1 by India in Delhi last month, are one of four seeds alongside Croatia, Israel and Belgium. As a result they will have a first-round bye and, more significantly, avoid the likes of Goran Ivanisevic, Croatia's Wimbledon finalist, and Amos Mansdorf of Israel.

The full draw takes place in London on Tuesday with Britain playing their first match from 30 April to 2 May.

Croatia, who are replacing Yugoslavia in Group One, are not the only newcomers in the draw, with Russia and Ukraine competing as separate nations for the first time - replacing the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Yugoslavia - now consisting only of Serbia and Montenegro - have been placed in Euro/African Zone Group Three, but will take part only if the United Nations' sporting sanctions are lifted.

Bjorn Borg, who led Sweden to their first Davis Cup triumph in 1975, has decided not to take a wild-card entry into the Stockholm Open, which starts on 26 October. The 36-year-old five-times Wimbledon champion, who has not played a competitive tournament in his native Sweden for 12 years, is expected to participate in a veterans event in Texas instead.

DAVIS CUP SEEDINGS: World Group: 1 & 2 Germany, United States; 3 & 4 Sweden, Switzerland; 5 & 6 France, Spain; 7 & 8 Czechoslovakia, Italy. Europe-African Zone: 1 & 2 Croatia, Israel; 3 & 4 Belgium, Britain. American Zone: 1 & 2 Argentina, Uruguay. Asia-Oceania Zone: 1 & 2 South Korea, New Zealand.