Brisbane QLD, Australia, 2 January 2017 | AAP

Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt says Bernard Tomic must come out swinging if he’s to upset eighth seed David Ferrer in the Brisbane International first round on Monday.

Tomic’s impressive Brisbane record will be put to the test when he lines up against former world No.3 Ferrer of Spain.

World No.26 Tomic boasts an 8-6 win-loss tally at the Queensland tournament, losing in the semifinals last year to eventual champion Milos Raonic of Canada.

However, Hewitt warned Tomic would need to be on his game from the outset against world No.21 Ferrer, a former French Open finalist.

“Yeah (it’s) really a tough match for Bernie,” said Hewitt who cheered on the local hopes court-side on Sunday’s opening day’s play.

“He likes playing here in Brisbane, likes the conditions of Pat Rafter Arena.

“He’s going to have to take it to Ferrer, though, right from the start. Ferrer is a workhorse out there. He will make him earn it.

“If Bernie can come out and can dictate play from the start, then he’s got a good shot.”

In what Hewitt described as a “great match-up”, Ferrer will make his Brisbane International debut when he takes on Tomic.

Ferrer holds a 3-2 head-to-head record against the Australian.

If Tomic prevails, he will set up an all-Australian second-round match with wildcard Jordan Thompson, who defeated Swede Elias Ymer in the first round on Sunday.

Other Australians in day two first round action on Monday are former US Open champion Sam Stosur, wildcard Ash Barty and qualifier Destanee Aiava.

World No.21 Stosur faces a tough task against reigning French Open champion, fourth seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Barty, 20, will take on qualifier Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia while Aiava faces fellow qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States.