NAPLES (AFP) - Great Britain and Italy look to end their long waits to reach the Davis Cup semi-finals with Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and colourful Italian Fabio Fognini key to their hopes.

Italy haven't made the last four since 1998 while Britain, nine-time winners but whose last title came back in 1936, have not been in the semi-finals since 1981.

Italy and Britain have met 15 times in the competition with the Italians winning 11 times, although their last meeting was back in 1984.

To make this stage, Italy beat Argentina 3-1 while Britain enjoyed a similar scoreline to shock the United States.

In Thursday's draw, world number eight Murray, who has been suffering with a virus, was drawn to face Andreas Seppi, the world number 34, after 13th-ranked Fognini meets James Ward, the world 161.

The winner of the semi-final will face either Switzerland or Kazakhstan in September for a place in the final.