SYDNEY, July 27: Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt on Wednesday said he would lead Australia in their Davis Cup tie with Serbia in Belgrade next September. Hewitt said Australia would be underdogs in the World Group playoff, where he is likely to face Novak Djokovic, who beat him in the fourth round at Wimbledon this year.

A loss would see 28-time Davis Cup champions Australia relegated to the Asia-Oceania zonal competition next year.World number 21 Hewitt is likely to be joined by either world number 92 Chris Guccione or Peter Luczak (97) in the singles, while he will probably partner Paul Hanley in the doubles.

Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald said two-time Grand Slam winner Hewitt would make an inspirational team leader. —AFP