AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Venue: Melbourne Park Date: 18-31 January
Coverage: Live on BBC Red Button (streamed on BBC website) and Radio 5 Live sports extra daily from 0830 GMT, text commentary daily from 0000 GMT on BBC Sport website

James Ward is among those hoping to make the GB squad for the March tie

Great Britain's Davis Cup captain John Lloyd will be watching with interest as Australian Open qualifying gets under way on Wednesday.

World number five Andy Murray has withdrawn from the team to face Lithuania in March, leaving another singles spot up for grabs.

James Ward, Alex Bogdanovic and Dan Evans enter qualifying in Melbourne.

"It's a great chance to play for my country and hopefully get us back to the top level," said Ward, 22.

Bogdanovic is the British number two, but Lloyd has not picked him since the home defeat by Austria in September 2008.

That leaves Ward as the next man in on ranking, at 261, with Evans at 266.

It's not a question of Murray not wanting to play for his country, it just doesn't fall right for him in March James Ward

Ward returned to action in Chennai last week after a five-month lay-off with glandular fever.

The Londoner won three matches in qualifying before losing in three sets to Marcel Granollers in the first round.

"If I can play like I that on a more regular basis, I'm sure I'll be playing for Great Britain for a while to come," said Ward.

"John Lloyd sent me a message saying well done and just to keep it going - and he's coming to Australia with [LTA head coach] Paul Annacone."

Ward also defended Murray's decision to opt out of the tie against Lithuania.

"It's not a question of him not wanting to play for his country, it just doesn't fall right for him in March.

"The tie will be on clay in Lithuania and Andy would have to go from there to American hard courts where he has a lot of ranking points to defend."

Ward, who practiced with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the World Tour Finals in November, believes he is reaping the rewards of a recent link-up with former British number one Greg Rusedski.

"We worked together for a good three or four weeks when I was in London at the end of the year," he said.

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"He's been really great. He's helped me with a lot of things - especially mentally. He's so positive all the time."

Ward and 19-year-old Evans, who came through qualifying in Auckland this week, face Australian opponents in Wednesday's first round in Melbourne.

Bogdanovic meets Martin Slanar of Austria.

The women's qualifying draw, in which 15-year-old Laura Robson will feature, is yet to be made.

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