Hewitt gets Aussies back on course

Lleyton Hewitt gave the home fans something to cheer after Davis Cup holders Australia had been stunned in the opening rubber of their first-round tie against Sweden in Adelaide today.

Hewitt beat Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 to level the World Group match and equal Adrian Quist's long-standing Australian record for Davis Cup singles wins when he claimed his 24th career victory.

"The record was in the back of my mind but the main priority was to try and get us back to 1-1," Hewitt said. Earlier, Thomas Enqvist thrashed Mark Philippoussis 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

Australian pair Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge face Jonas Bjorkman and Joachim Johansson in the doubles tomorrow.