Johansson in race to be fit for Davis Cup opener

Thomas Johansson, the Australian Open champion, was expected to return to Birmingham last night ahead of Sweden's Davis Cup tie with Great Britain.

Johansson left training to fly back to Sweden for treatment on a groin injury and now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the World Group tie, which starts tomorrow.

Calle Hageskog, the Swedish captain, is hopeful that Johansson will feature at the National Indoor Arena but must submit his player nominations to the referee Gayle Bradshaw before today's 11am draw.

"I would hope to play Thomas Johansson at some stage over the weekend," Hageskog said. Thomas Enqvist and Jonas Bjorkman are likely to play in the singles if Sweden are forced to play without him, although Magnus Larsson could also be used. Robin Soderling has also joined the team as cover.

The French captain, Guy Forget, has called for new rules allowing Davis Cup holders more time to bask in their glory. "I would be in favour of a new system giving the last two finalists a first-round bye or a change of schedule putting the first round later in the season," he said. His team, the current holders, face the Netherlands in Metz in a World Group tie this weekend.

"People are still congratulating us for winning the event and we already must be back in action."