He is also banking on Mackin’s fellow Scot Andy Murray bating Swiss number two and world number 60 Stanislas Wawrinka on his crucial singles debut in the competition following Mackin’s daunting task.

Bates said: “Obviously playing Roger is a very tough match and realistically we are looking at winning the doubles and the two singles against their number two.

“I feel they (the Swiss) did not expect what they have seen and it puts a bit of pressure on Wawrinka to perform first.”

The 24-year-old Mackin made his Davis Cup debut in January 2003 when in the absence of Rusedski and Tim Henman he lost a straight-sets singles rubber to Mark Philippoussis.

Mackin has been picked for his clay court preference but his main tour record this year shows the same number of wins as Federer has losses – three – and does not bode well.

But Mackin said: “It is a wonderful opportunity for me, I have got nothing to lose so I just hope I can go out and play well.”

The Swiss did admit their surprise at Bates’ team line-up which is set to team Rusedski and Murray together in the Sunday doubles against Federer and Swiss doubles expert Yves Allegro.

But Federer believes the decision could play into the home team’s hands as he prepares for his first match on home soil for one-and-a-half years.

Federer said: “I am pleased that I don’t have to play Murray on the first day and Stanislas is also pleased not to play Greg because he has never beaten him.”