Intro:

The draw for the 2015 Fed Cup took place at Roland Garros on Wednesday, with some interesting ties featuring in the World Group and World Group II first rounds.

Script:

The 2015 Fed Cup draw produced some fascinating ties when it took place at Roland Garros on Wednesday.

The top seeds, the Czech Republic, were handed a difficult away trip to Canada, who will be inspired by the in-form French Open semi-finalist Eugenie Bouchard.

Reining champions Italy found themselves at home to France, while Poland will play host to Russia.

2014 finalists Germany, face a re-match on home soil against Australia.

The two teams met in this year's semi-finals and the Germans prevailed in Brisbane.

The Germans meet the Czech Republic in the final in November.

In World Group II, Slovakia must travel to Netherlands, Romania are at home to Spain, Switzerland visit Sweden and Argentina plays hosts to the USA.

The semi-finals next year are scheduled for April the 18th and 19th, and the final for the 14th and 15th of November.

Before the ceremony, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) donated 10,000 US dollars to the "Rally For Bally" and awarded Elena Baltacha the first Fed Cup Lifetime Achievement Heart Award for her commitment to the competition.

Baltacha, who died of liver cancer last month aged 30, will be remembered at the "Rally For Bally" on the 15th of June, when exhibition matches will be played at the British tournaments at Queen's Club, Edgbaston and Eastbourne.