Fernando Verdasco faces Aussie veteran Lleyton Hewitt in the potentially decisive second rubber of Spain's Hopman Cup clash with Australia.
Hewitt is making his seventh Hopman Cup appearance but he's never been able to win it during his long and successful career. He has a formidable 13-5 record in singles at the event so world number 24 Verdasco should definitely beware.
Verdasco had a solid season by his standards which ended on a high as Spain reclaimed the Davis Cup with a convincing win over Argentina. It wasn't the greatest of finals for Verdasco himself, he played the doubles rubber with Feliciano Lopez and the pair were soundly beaten but he'll be hoping that the confidence from the overall experience will help him push on back towards the top ten.
This is his Hopman Cup debut. Spain are seeded 3rd and with Verdasco and Medina Garrigues a particularly dangerous doubles pair, they'll have a strong edge if ties should go the distance.
Hewitt has not competed since Australia's Davis Cup World Group playoff loss to Switzerland in September. The 30 year old's body is becoming increasingly creaky these days and he had initially been a doubt for the Australian Open but he's recovered from a foot injury.
Prediction: Expect a scrappy match with both men shaking off the rust but Verdasco to take it in two.
