Australian Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter has confirmed that veteran Lleyton Hewitt and rising star Bernard Tomic will both play singles in the upcoming Asia-Oceania qualifying tie in Geelong.

The two biggest names in Australian men’s tennis were also the best performers at last month’s Australian Open, where they both advanced to the fourth round.

Tomic is Australia’s highest-ranked male player at No.36 in the world.

And although Hewitt (130) is well below fellow squad member Matthew Ebden (83) in the rankings after an injury-plagued 2011, Rafter said that did no justice to the former US Open and Wimbledon champion’s real standing in the sport.

“Lleyton will be playing singles,” Rafter said on Tuesday after practice at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club.

“… Lleyton is ready and Lleyton’s ranking is no reflection of how he’s hitting the ball.

“To me he is back in the top 20 in terms of how he is hitting the ball.”

Hewitt – who is set to play in a record-equalling 32nd Davis Cup tie for Australia – will also be named to partner Chris Guccione in the doubles on Saturday.

The opening two singles matches are on Friday.

China’s likely singles representatives are Zhang Ze and Wu Di.