Alex Bogdanovic ensured Great Britain avoided a Davis Cup whitewash at the hands of Australia with victory over Todd Woodbridge.

Bogdanovic beat the veteran doubles specialist 6-2 7-6 in the final dead rubber of the tie to make the score 4-1 after Wayne Arthurs had come back from a set down to beat Miles Maclagan 4-6 6-1 6-4.

The home side had already booked their place in the quarter-finals after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead following Saturday's doubles, while Britain face a relegation play-off in September to avoid dropping out of the elite 16-nation World Group.

With victory assured, world number one Lleyton Hewitt was given the day off, Arthurs taking his place in the first singles on Sunday, with Maclagan coming in for Alan Mackin, who suffered an elbow injury in practice.

Hewitt had said after partnering Woodbridge to victory over Maclagan and Arvind Parmar in the doubles that he was keen to play, but the 21-year-old has been suffering from a cold all week.

Bogdanovic had been scheduled to play Mark Philippoussis in the final match but, as expected, Woodbridge came in for his first singles match since September 2001.

Two breaks of serve gave Bogdanovic the first set but he was broken in the sixth game of the second and trailed 5-2.

The 18-year-old left-hander then broke Woodbridge twice as he reeled off the next four games, but was broken himself as he served for the match, Woodbridge forcing a tie-break.

A double fault and unforced error from the Australian gave Bogdanovic a 4-1 lead and he held on to take it 7-4 for a first Davis Cup win on his debut.

"It feels really great just to get a win in any match, whether it's a live or dead rubber," Bogdanovic admitted.

Captain Roger Taylor praised the youngster, adding: "He is a very talented young man and to get a Davis Cup win so early, in such a big match, is great experience.

"Let's hope he can keep building on that."

Taylor will be hoping his injured stars Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, as well as Martin Lee, are fit for the relegation tie in September, but he could take heart from Bogdanovic's display.

"Alex has taken his opportunity but he has to keep this form going," Taylor added. "If this is his level, he can't drop below it.

"If he keeps going he is going to be tough to displace, but the next tie is in September and there are a lot of big tournaments in between.

"He prepared for this tie for six weeks and I think that showed. I remember on January 4 he said that if he was picked, he wanted to talk about Hewitt and Philippoussis, he was already thinking about facing them.

"All credit to him, he has stuck to it and he wants to be a champion. Watching the Australian Open this year Alex hits the ball as well as anyone playing there. The ability is as good as the top players.

"It's very exciting for British tennis."