Tomic to lead Australia

Brisbane - Teenager Bernard Tomic will thrive in leading Australia's Davis Cup tie this weekend against South Korea in the absence of injured Lleyton Hewitt, captain Patrick Rafter said on Thursday.

World number 36 Tomic, aged 19, has been drawn to meet unranked Cho Min-Hyeok in Friday's opening singles, while Matthew Ebden, ranked 75, will take on Jeong Suk-Young, ranked 730th, in the second match in Brisbane.

Rafter backed Tomic to dominate the Asia-Oceania group second-round tie with former world number one Hewitt unavailable until June with a foot injury.

"We are playing a team that is lowly ranked," Rafter told reporters.

"I see that as not a lot of pressure on Bernard at all. If it was a tougher tie I would think he would have a bit more of a burden, but he's someone who thrives in adversity. He loves the pressure."

Australia are aiming to reach the playoffs later in the year and return to the elite World Group for the first time since 2007.