Aussies to host Japan

Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald is hopeful of having all his big guns available when the Aussies host Japan in their Asia Oceania Davis Cup second-round clash in Brisbane in May.

Australia will play the Japanese on a specially-built clay court on Pat Rafter Arena at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

The tie will be played from May 7-9 with the winner advancing to the World Group Playoffs in September.

An understrength Australian squad easily disposed of Chinese Taipei 5-0 in the opening round last month but Fitzgerald said he hoped both Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione would be back from injury for the clash with Japan.

"Peter Luczak, Bernard Tomic, Carsten Ball and Paul Hanley were all in good form and hopefully Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione will also be back from injury, which would give us some great options," Fitzgerald said.

"We have just come off a good win against Chinese Taipei and are really looking forward to this."

"The guys are very keen to play on clay and excited about playing Davis Cup at such an incredible tennis venue."

Australia will start the tie strong favourites with a 14-2 head-to-head record against Japan and winning the last six encounters.

The two nations last met in the Davis Cup in 1996, with Australia winning 5-0.