BIRMINGHAM, England -- Sweden's Davis Cup hopes have been dealt a blow after Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson was ruled out of the singles in the first round match against Great Britain.

Johansson, who beat Marat Safin in Melbourne last month to win his first Grand Slam title, is struggling with a groin injury, although he still hopes to play the doubles rubber on Saturday in Birmingham.

British number one Tim Henman will now face his Australian Open conqueror Jonas Bjorkman in the opening singles on Friday before Greg Rusedski takes on Thomas Enqvist, a player he has beaten in five of their seven meetings.

Bjorkman, 29, wrecked Henman's hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title when he crushed him in straight sets in the fourth round in January, taking his career record against the Briton to 5-2.

If Johansson does not recover in time 31-year-old Magnus Larsson will partner Bjorkman against Henman and Rusedski in the doubles although Davis Cup rules allow for team changes to be made up to one hour before the match.

Thursday's draw gives Henman an early chance to erase the memory of his humbling loss to Bjorkman in Australia, a task he is relishing.

"I was disappointed in how I played in Melbourne, but I am excited about this opportunity," the 27-year-old said.

British captain Roger Taylor added: "Fate always comes out with a little twist. It is therefore no surprise that Tim is facing Bjorkman in the first match."

British number two Rusedski has enjoyed a great start to the new year, winning in Auckland in January and reaching the semi-finals in Milan in his last outing and he is confident going into the tie.

"Tim and I are playing some of our best tennis," he said. "It's great to be in the world group, but we have to push through."

Despite Johansson's absence from the singles, Taylor is warning against over confidence as Great Britain attempt to go beyond the first round of the World Group for the first time since 1986.

"It's the biggest tie we've had in Britain," he said. "We haven't ever faced such a strong team."

Although Sweden have won four out of the six Davis Cup ties between the nations, Britain can rely on noisy support from the sell-out crowd in National Indoor Arena.

"I don't want to hear any Swedish support," the left-handed Rusedski said. "We want them to be drowned out."