Martin Lee has warned Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski about the intimidation they will face when Great Britain take on Ecuador in the Davis Cup this week.

The tie takes place in a converted bullring at the Club Nacional at Guayaquil and the reception promises to be red hot.

Great Britian have not played Davis Cup in South America since losing to Argentina 20 years ago.

Lee, the 23-year-old British No.3 from East Preston, has first-hand experience of crowds from the continent.

He has just played the Salvador event in Brazil, which replaced the Samsung Open in Brighton, and said: "South America is one of the worst places you can go with the crowd.

"We can expect booing every point. They'll probably throw coins if we win and mirrors will be held up to reflect the sun into our eyes when we serve.

"It's not nice to have to play in that atmosphere. I've been to Brazil in previous years. I remember playing in a semi-final of a Challenger watched by 3-4,000 people. I was playing a home town Brazilian boy and they didn't like it when I was winning.

"They were shouting and swearing at me and every time I got angry with a call they'd all start booing and making it unpleasant for me.

"I got agitated and let it affect me. I wouldn't let it affect me like that now. My mind is a lot stronger, I know what it's about. I'm now light years away from that player I was then. I don't let frustration affect me, I let it out if I feel it and move on to the next point."

Lee has been lifted by an impressive four months in which he made a winning Davis Cup debut against Portugal, reached a best-ever ranking of 103, taken Sjeng Schalken to five sets in the US Open and reached an ATP final in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Angmering club member now feels he "would get the job done" if Henman and Rusedski were injured or ill.

He said: "Before it was just the Tim and Greg Show as far as British men's tennis was concerned. But I feel I can do a job against Ecuador.

"I'm going into every match feeling it is 50-50, whereas before it was 60-40 for anyone I played inside the top 100.

"Now, with the way I've played, I've felt it not 'will I make it' as a top 100 player, I know I'll make it. To do it I will have to refuse to rest on my laurels. I'm not happy to win just one or two rounds. The whole object of playing tournaments is to try and win them.

"I feel I've gained the respect from top players over the past three or four months because they've seen me around, watched my scores and seen that I'm getting closer and closer. They know they are in for a tough match. Reaching the final in Newport was a big confidence-lift and made me feel I can go even better.

"I don't make excuses for anything these days. It's easy to make excuses. I've achieved good results feeling jet-lagged, having had just three hours sleep or having a touch of tenditis in my knee. If your mind is right you can do it. I'll take the attitude into the Ecuador match."

Lee enjoys being part of the team. He said: "I get on well with Tim and Greg, particularly Greg who I played golf with a lot while we played together in Cincinnatti. He's encouraging and knows I'm playing well and getting up there."

Lee is part of a side seeking revenge for an humiliating Cup loss against the South Americans on grass at Wimbledon last year. That relegated them from the World Group.

Victory will see them promoted again and Ecuador disappearing through the trap door.

Lee said: "It is a tie we need to win after what happened at Wimbledon. It'll be difficult, particularly as it is on clay and in their backyard. but everyone will be pumped up for it. You 'd make Tim and Greg underdogs for the two singles matches against Nicolas Lapentti. He is a world class player on any surface.

"It's vital, therefore we are at our best in the other two singles and the doubles. Their other guys are quite lowly ranked, but there's no rule in Davis Cup that says because you are higher ranked you will win. I rate it 60-40 in our favour, but that can easily change with one result."

Meanwhile, Lee hopes one day to lead the British team.

He said: "Tim and Greg aren't going to be around forever, they have probably got three or four more years, then it should be my turn. "Myself and Jamie Delgado, who is doing well, can come in and take over with, hopefully others following us."

Captain Roger Taylor has confidence in Lee. He said: "Martin is now well respected and some of the top players seek him out as a practice partner. He has definitely improved.

"This could be the most crucial time of his career. He has made great progress and now is the time for him to go all out to get in to the top 100."