Australia's Davis Cup defence hinges on the fragile mental state of Mark Philippoussis.

The tired and troubled Australian star must defeat Swedish teen Robin Soderling at Memorial Drive in Adelaide for the host nation to keep the first round tie alive.

The Swedes carry a two rubbers to one lead into the reverse singles after a stunning doubles upset engineered by a pairing who had never played a match together.

Veteran Jonas Bjorkman and 21-year-old Joachim Johansson belied their inexperience together to prevail against Australian favourites Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs in a five set thriller.

Bjorkman and Johansson won 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 2-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 in a match which lasted four hours and 28 minutes as on-court temperatures hovered around a sweltering 48 degrees Celsius.

The victory of the Swedish doubles team was all the more astonishing given they surrendered the momentum after claiming the initial two sets.

The Swedes also overcame a parochial home crowd which drew the ire of the chair umpire for overt barracking.

The visitors complained about comments from Australian fans during the fourth set, prompting the umpire to twice appeal for respect to be shown for both nations.

Australia's hopes of defending the Davis Cup crown it won two months ago now rest with Philippoussis, who was trounced by Thomas Enqvist in the opening singles match.

Philippoussis entered this tie in a swirl of controversy amid suggestions he was more focussed on socialising than winning tennis matches.

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