Hamburg, 14 September 2012 | tennis.com.au

In the end, it all came down to a local schoolgirl pulling a ball with a name in it out of a bowl.

And with that, it was decided.

The young guns, Bernard Tomic and Cedrik-Marcel Stebe will open proceedings in this critical World Group Play-off tie in Hamburg.

The Stebe selection was no surprise to the visitors. As captain Pat Rafter told the assembled media throng later: “We always knew who we were going to play and where.”

Certainly Stebe is no surprise for Tomic. The pair have practised together and played doubles together. But never played one another. The young Aussie’s assessment is that it will be tough against the rangy left-hander who has a very solid game and a good forehand. He is hoping he can put some pressure on Stebe’s serve.

Australians may remember Stebe from his valiant defeat against Lleyton Hewitt on Rod Laver Arena in this year’s Australian Open. Stebe followed that match by rising to No.71 in February – the highest he has been ranked in his three year professional career. This will be only his second Davis Cup singles rubber.

He will be followed by a guy playing in his 64th rubber and his 33rd tie -the most by any Australian in the history of Davis Cup. Hewitt comes in gunning for record 50th singles win, but the highly-ranked Florian Mayer (currently 25 in the world but has been as high as 18) stands in his way.

Hewitt won their only match, but it was on hard court and so long ago that the Australian dismisses its relevance. He is expecting a battle against a high-quality opponent in front of his home crowd.

It is a battle that will most likely be played out under a closed roof with the infamous Hamburg skies predicted to send a barrage of rain down on day one. But the skies will look pretty blue and bright to the Australians if they can secure one or even both of the opening rubbers.

Germany v Australia Davis Cup World Group Play-off Draw

Day 1: Friday 14 September

Rubber 1: Cedrik-Marcel Stebe v Bernard Tomic

Rubber 2: Florian Mayer v Lleyton Hewitt

Day 2: Saturday 15 September

Rubber 3: Benjamin Becker/Philipp Petzschner v Chris Guccione/Lleyton Hewitt

Day 3: Sunday 16 September

Rubber 4: Florian Mayer v Bernard Tomic

Rubber 5: Cedrik-Marcel Stebe v Lleyton Hewitt

Broadcast schedule

Watch the World Group Play-off tie LIVE on 7TWO:

Friday September 14

Melbourne         7.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Sydney                 7.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Brisbane              7.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Adelaide              7pm LIVE on 7TWO

Perth                     5.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Saturday September 15

Melbourne         11pm on 7TWO

Sydney                 11pm on 7TWO

Brisbane              11pm on 7TWO

Adelaide              10.30pm on 7TWO

Perth                     9pm on 7TWO

Sunday September 16

Melbourne         7.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Sydney                 7.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Brisbane              7.30pm LIVE on 7TWO

Adelaide              7pm LIVE on 7TWO

Perth                     5.30pm LIVE on 7TWO