Murray and Del Potro set for tasty lunchtime match-up as big guns are deployed early

That much was evident five weeks ago in Rio de Janeiro, when these two former US Open winners served up an Olympic final which will go down in the list of all-time classics.

Read more: Explosive start to Davis Cup semi as Murray opens against del Potro in Olympian re-match

The fourth rubber of Davis Cup play is usually reserved for the top two players in either team to do battle. But Del Potro's sudden return to form from a wrist injury, too quick to be fully represented in the rankings, has led to the big guns being deployed early.

Not since a famous meeting between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe at the 1988 Scottish Grass Court Championships at Craiglockhart will a higher calibre tennis match having been contested on Scottish soil.

Read more: Tennis for Kids success shows why Judy Murray’s sportshub is so vital

Both team captains had worn poker faces at this table yesterday, even though Great Britain skipper Leon Smith knew, barring accident, that Andy Murray, the World No 2, would play against Argentina's second highest ranked singles player on Day one.

A bit like Ryder Cup captains, only if they were unable to exercise their discretion and instead had to order their final day pairings by their current world ranking, Davis Cup skippers have only limited choices when nominating their selected players.

Having spent all night shuffling his pack, Orsanic decided to go 'all in'. Rather than keeping Del Potro versus Murray for Day Three, Orsanic opted for his ace and now all that is left to do is hope that his man comes up trumps.

"It was a bit of a guessing game," said Smith, when asked if he was surprised by the Argentinians' high-risk strategy. "I'm sure they thought the same about our line-up as well. But they were going to play one another at some point and Andy actually said yesterday I don’t really think it makes a difference.

"They may feel it makes more of a difference for him to come in fresher, I don’t know," he added. "But it's an exciting way to start on the Friday, from a fans' point of view and media point of view."

Whether either team could recover from a loss in that titanic tussle remains to be seen but Great Britain would rather not find out.

The Murray brothers, who are mourning the loss of their paternal grandfather Gordon last Friday - Jamie will attend the funeral in Kilsyth today, while Andy plays - will be favourites against Federico Delbonis and Mayer in the doubles on Saturday, while Kyle Edmund and Guido Pella face the unenviable challenge of following the superstar showdown on court today, Pella having won their only career meeting thus far over a tight three sets in Indian Wells earlier this year.

Read more: Explosive start to Davis Cup semi as Murray opens against del Potro in Olympian re-match

What bad blood there was between Murray and Del Potro has long since been put to bed. Whilst the Argentinian retired hurt during their first tour meeting in Rome in 2008, putting an end to a bad-tempered match which saw the two men clash over references Del Potro had made to Andy's mum Judy, the pair hugged at the net like respectful heavyweights after a world title fight in Rio. If Del Potro carried a fair weight of Argentinian support on that occasion, he can expect the polar opposite today. Murray has won six of their eight meetings in all, including their only clash on an indoor hard court.

"We obviously had a great battle in Rio," said Andy yesterday, before travelling off to be with his family in Kilsyth. "Four hours, lots of ups and downs, a lot of momentum shifts and that match was mentally and physically a very draining match. I think both of us were pretty tired afterwards, and emotional. I think that showed in how we were right after the final point, but yeah. It will be another intense atmosphere here and I'm looking forward to it."

"Of course we are very competitive but we are also very respectful," said Del Potro, of the Scot. "We grew up together, we learned together. He’s a great champion, a great guy on tour. Always it’s a pleasure to play against him. Many Argentinian fans are coming to support us, to watch us, so it should be good for all the players. I think the fans are expecting a lot from the match between Andy and me. Hopefully we can play good tennis and enjoy the whole atmosphere on court. Of course it’s a big challenge but I will try to put myself in the position where I get the point for my team."

With all apologies to the remainder of his team, Orsanic is in no doubt that Del Potro is his star man. "It is good for the world of tennis that he has come back, so you can imagine what it means for us Argentinians," he said.

Britain may have taken the title for the first time in 79 years in Ghent last November, there is no disguising the desperation to repeat the feat. "Honestly, I don’t really care that we won it last year," said Jamie Murray. "We’re here to win it again this year and I don’t think we’re any the less hungry for that because we’ve managed to win the trophy."

Memories of last year are strong. But will the crowd live up to last Saturday at Celtic Park? Dan Evans, a visitor to the Old Firm match, expects at least one crucial difference. “I doubt we’ll get some of the language I heard there!" he joked.