Hewitt takes on Mankad in Davis Cup opener

Lleyton Hewitt will play both singles and doubles as Australia chase a quick victory in their Davis Cup World Group qualifier with India.

The world number one will open the September 20-22 tie at Adelaide's Memorial Drive when he takes on Harsh Mankad in the first singles rubber.

He will then partner Todd Woodbridge in the doubles match against Leander Paes and Vishaal Uppal the following day.

Hewitt is also scheduled to face Indian number one Paes in Sunday's opening reverse singles but could be replaced if Australia hold an unbeatable 3-0 lead going into the final day.

Australia's non-playing captain John Fitzgerald told Hewitt after his Wimbledon victory in July that he would consider giving him the day off to play an Australian Rules charity match if the tie was already decided.

Wayne Arthurs, who lost the deciding rubber in last year's Davis Cup final against France after Pat Rafter withdrew injured, was selected as Australia's second singles player.

The big-serving left hander faces Paes on Friday before tackling Mankad in Sunday's concluding match.

The Australians are heavy favourites to win the best-of-five tie and retain their position in the World Group for next year.

The Indians do not have a singles player ranked in the top 400 and their slim hopes of causing an upset suffered a major setback when their U.S. Open doubles champion Mahesh Bhupathi pulled out because of a shoulder problem