Rising star Nick Kyrgios will lead off Australia’s Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Uzbekistan’s top-ranked Denis Istomin in Perth on Friday.
Kyrgios, 19, who reached this year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals and the third round at the US Open, was Thursday drawn to face the 55th-ranked Istomin, listed two ranking spots below the Australian in the opening singles rubber.
Davis Cup warrior Lleyton Hewitt, 33, will take on world number 133 Farrukh Dustov in the second singles match.
Hewitt, ranked 49 and playing in a record 38th Davis Cup tie, will join forces with Chris Guccione in the doubles on Saturday to take on Istomin and Dustov.
The reverse singles take place on Sunday.
Uzbekistan are bidding to reach the elite 16-nation World Group for the first time, while 28-time champions Australia are looking to retain their status after a first round loss to France in February.
The omens are not good with Australia losing five of their last six World Group play-offs.