Fitzy sees Lleyton as trump
Fitzy sees Lleyton as trump 
By Bruce Matthews
Former Australian Captain January 31, 2007
CAPTAIN John Fitzgerald is prepared to burden Lleyton Hewitt with singles and doubles roles against Belgium in next week’s first-round David Cup tie.
Fitzgerald will only dodge that difficult call if Hewitt and big-serving left-hander Chris Guccione can propel Australia to a 2-0 lead in the opening singles matches on the indoor clay court at Liege on Friday week.
“That’s certainly an option for us,” Fitzgerald said.
“A lot will depend on what may or may not happen on the first day.”
Hewitt has played doubles with Paul Hanley in a previous tie and he’s ready to double-up against a Belgian team that has three players ranked in the top 100.
“Most of the ties I concentrate on my singles,” Hewitt said. “But if they need me on the Saturday, I’ll be ready.
“Paul is a great doubles player. We played in Adelaide (three weeks ago) and I got a lot out of that match.
“It was a big step in the right direction for us as a pair. I have a lot of confidence in what he can do on the doubles court, especially in Davis Cup.
“I saw him play against Argentina and Belarus and I thought he handled himself extremely well.”
Fitzgerald, Hewitt, Guccione and Hanley flew out last night without veteran Wayne Arthurs, who’s missing Davis Cup for the first time in more than six years.
Arthurs, recovering from a strained right hip, may be considered for ties later in his farewell year.
“He hasn’t indicated to me what his immediate future is,” Fitzgerald said.
“He would be playing it a bit by ear and working out where he wants to go. We’re going to miss him, but his career may continue.”
New Cup coach Darren Cahill is already in Belgium while Peter Luczak, the fourth team member, is heading there after a challenger tournament in South Africa.
Even with its top player, Xavier Malisse, unlikely to play, Belgium has the strong team of Olivier Rochus, ranked No.31, Kristof Vliegen (35), Christophe Rochus (73), and Dick Norman (124).
“It’s a tough tie,” Fitzgerald said. “They have, potentially, four guys in the top 100 to choose from and it’s on their preferred surface.
Australian Open boys’ champion Brydan Klein, 17, and WA colleague Miles Armstrong, 20, will be right-handed hitting partners for the team.
