SYDNEY, Australia -- Lleyton Hewitt believes his rapid slide down the world rankings could give Australia the advantage in this weekend's Davis Cup final against Spain in Melbourne.

The former world No. 1 has tumbled down to 16th and finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being Australia's No. 2 singles player behind Mark Philippoussis.

This means he will play Spain's top-ranked player, world No. 3 Juan Carlos Ferrero, in Friday's first day of singles.

"I feel like if I can beat Juan Carlos on day one it gives Australia a huge advantage," Hewitt said. "I've probably been given the opportunity in this tie to crack the whole Davis Cup final wide open on day one."

Hewitt said he was feeling fresh after missing the Masters Cup, while Ferrero and Carlos Moya had competed at the end-of-season event.

"To try and bounce back and stay fresh for that whole time was pretty tough, so I know exactly what Ferrero and Moya are going through," Hewitt said.

"I'm in a totally different situation myself right now, and hopefully it's going to be the right preparation," he said.

Hewitt hasn't competed since losing to Ferrero in the U.S. Open quarterfinals in September.

"I've been training extremely hard, putting in a lot of hours on the court and in the gym and done a lot of miles running."

Philippoussis, Wimbledon runner-up this year, led Australia to victory over France in the 1999 Davis Cup final by winning both his singles matches, but this will be his first final in his home town of Melbourne.

"If there's anything that can top a Davis Cup win away, it's a Davis Cup win at home," Philippoussis said.

"We've got such a strong team and if we come together as a team and just drive each other on, which we've been doing all year, we're going to be a hell of a tough team to beat and a tough country to beat."

Ferrero, quoted in Spanish sports daily Marca, said he expected Australia to be fueled by years of frustration.

"More than being angry with us, I think they are angry with themselves for losing two finals on the trot," he said.

"Everything that has happened in the past is bound to make the atmosphere more tense and emotional than usual.

"Everything will depend on what happens on the first day. If we can win one of the singles, then they might start getting nervous in the doubles."