Bopanna is ranked 452 places below Bellucci in the ATP singles ranking but the Indian would look to covert his good doubles form in the singles as well.
Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi won the runners-up trophy at the US Open, last week.
The Coorgi, known for his big serves, has done well for India in the singles in the Davis Cup ties.
Somdev Devvarman, ranked 113, will play the second singles tomorrow against Ricardo Melo, ranked 75th.
Veterans Leander Paes will celebrate his 20 years in Davis Cup when he and Mahesh Bhupathi will play the doubles rubber on Saturday against the combination of Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo.
The reverse singles will be played on Sunday with Somdev playing against Bellucci and Bopanna clashing with Melo.
The winner of the tie will advance to World Group while the losing team will go back to its respective Zone.
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