France will open the 2009 Hopman Cup when they take on Asian qualifiers Chinese Taipei on January 3 in Perth, Australia.
The mixed tournament opens the 2009 season, with eight teams competing to be named the International Tennis Federation's mixed team champions.
The top seeds are the USA, who will be represented by James Blake and Meghann Shaughnessy. They open up against Slovakia on January 5. Australia and Germany make up Group A, the winner of which will progress to the January 9 final.
Second seeds Russia, featuring siblings Marat Safin and Dinara Safina, contest Group B alongside France, Italy and Chinese Taipei.
The players, who will each play a singles match before teaming up for a potentially tie-deciding mixed doubles rubber, will largely use the event as a tune-up for the Australian Open.
The first Grand Slam of 2009 gets under way on January 19.