The Australian Fed Cup team has drawn a challenging World Group playoff tie against Germany in Germany from April 21-22.

The Australians must defeat the Europeans to earn a spot in the elite eight-nation competition next year.

The timing and location of the tie should enhance US Open champion Samantha Stosur’s chances of playing as it falls in the middle of the European claycourt season.

Even with world No.10 Andrea Petkovic nursing a back injury, the Germans still boast the likes of Wimbledon semi-finalist Sabine Lisicki, US Open semi-finalist Angelique Kerber and world No.21 Julia Goerges.

Australia earned the right to play Germany by defeating Switzerland 4-1 this month in Fribourg in a World Group II fixture.

Germany lost their World Group opening round tie 4-1 against a Petra Kvitova-led Czech Republic team in Stuttgart.