Davis Cup 2020: Romania advance to World Group I stage after China withdraws from tie due to coronavirus outbreak

China have withdrawn from a Davis Cup tie due to the coronavirus epidemic, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Tuesday, adding that Romania will advance to the World Group I as a result. [caption id=“attachment_4222307” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representative photo. Reuters[/caption] The Chinese team were due to travel to Romania for a 6-7 March playoff but will be unable to do so due to “increased restrictions” in response to the outbreak, the ITF said in a statement on Twitter. “Romania will advance to play in World Group I in September,” the statement added. The coronavirus outbreak has killed nearly 1,900 people and infected more than 70,000 in China. The World Group I playoffs and 2020 Davis Cup qualifiers will both be held on 6 and 7 March. The winning countries from the playoffs and the losing countries from the qualifiers - 24 teams in all - advance to the World Group I ties in September. Winners of the World Group I ties advance to the 2021 Davis Cup qualifiers, and the losing nations have to contest the World Group I playoffs in 2021.