Davis Cup captain John Lloyd is confident Andy Murray can keep Great Britain in the prestigious world group by leading them to victory over Austria in the relegation play-off starting at Wimbledon today.

LLoyd is adamant Britain's players "belong" in the top flight despite the heavy burden being placed on world No4 Murray, who reached the US Open final in New York this month.

With Alex Bogdanovic, the British No2, possessing a dreadful record on the Wimbledon grass, it seems certain Murray will have to win both of his singles matches and probably have to partner brother Jamie in tomorrow's crucial doubles rubber.

At present, Jamie is scheduled to partner Ross Hutchins but Lloyd could be forced to change the pairings in a bid to create at least a 2-1 advantage going into the final day.

Lloyd will not want to face a scenario in which world No162 Bogdanovic, who has lost seven successive first-round matches at Wimbledon, must defeat Alexander Peya, a similarly lowly-ranked player in the final rubber.

That is a very likely outcome if Murray wins both of his singles but Britain loses today's opening singles between Bogdanovic and Jurgen Melzer and also the doubles match.

Lloyd said: "This has been a good year for British tennis with Andy reaching the US Open final and Jamie getting to the final of the mixed doubles. We have worked so hard to get into the Davis Cup World group and we don't want to drop out. We belong in the top 16 of the sport, playing against the best ."

Jamie and Ross Hutchins could become a permanent team on the doubles circuit after the elder Murray split with veteran Max Mirnyi. The pair won their first title in February but lost in the first round at three of the four Grand Slams. Jamie admitted "Max and I are looking for other partners. It just didn't quite click."