Melzer to open against Chardy in Davis Cup

Austria's Jurgen Melzer is hoping to put pressure on France by winning Friday's opening singles match against Jeremy Chardy in their Davis Cup first-round series.

Stefan Koubek will play Gilles Simon in the second singles match after the draw made on Thursday.

The 10th-ranked Melzer said that "it should stand 1-0 for us (after my match) so I can take some pressure off for Stefan and add some pressure for Simon."

Melzer will team up with Oliver Marach for Saturday's doubles against Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau, though captains can change that lineup as late as one hour before the match.

Austria has not been past the first round since 1995. Nine-time champion France lost last year's final to Serbia.