Hewitt backs Kokkinakis in surprise Davis Cup call

Fresh off winning the NSW Open in Sydney, Kokkinakis is ranked No.77 in the world, more than 50 places below both Popyrin and Thompson.

But with victories in his past three Davis Cup ties, Kokkinakis earned Hewitt's nod to take on world No.21 Ben Shelton in the opening singles rubber in Malaga on Thursday night.

Australia's world No.9 Alex de Minaur will face the fifth-ranked Taylor Fritz in the second singles match, with Thompson and Matt Ebden slated to play Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek in the potentially decisive doubles.

Ebden teamed with John Peers to defeat Ram and Krajicek in the Olympics Games final in Paris in August.

Chasing a first Davis Cup title since 2003, Australia are bidding to make a third consecutive final after losing to Canada and Italy in the past two deciders.