The Davis Cup draw has paired Australia's Lleyton Hewitt against Nicolas Escude of France in the opening rubber in Melbourne.
Pat Rafter will play Sebastien Grosjean in the second match on the first day.
In Saturday's doubles the hosts will field Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs against Fabrice Santoro and Cedric Pioline - a late replacement for Arnaud Clement.
The winning doubles team has ended up winning the Davis Cup in every final since 1978.
The final day's reverse singles will pit Hewitt against Grosjean and Rafter is scheduled to play Escude should the match last until the deciding rubber.
Rafter, fighting an arm injuury, was declared fit to play by Australian coach John Fitzgerland just prior to Thursday's draw.

The French will hope that history repeats itself as both Escude and Grosjean have beaten their first day opponents already this year. Bureau Report