Islamabad
Favourites Russia Tennis Federation opened their Davis Cup Finals campaign with a resounding victory over Ecuador, Britain began with a win against France and Italy eased into the quarter-finals with a win over Colombia on Saturday.
But 28-time champions Australia are facing almost certain elimination despite beating Hungary 2-1.
Novak Djokovic’s Serbia were beaten 2-1 by Germany in Group F as the world number one lost a thrilling doubles decider, meaning they must wait until Sunday’s final round-robin matches before knowing whether or not they progress.
The Russians beat Ecuador 3-0 in Madrid to move level with holders Spain whom they face on Sunday to decide who will emerge as winners of Group A.
World number five Andrey Rublev beat Roberto Quiroz 6-3 4-6 6-1 before U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev crushed world number 149 Emilio Gomez for the loss of two games.
Rublev then teamed up with Aslan Karatsev to beat Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo in three sets.
Italy, who beat the U.S. in their opening Group E tie, won both their singles matches against Colombia in Turin with victories for Lorenzo Sonego and Jannik Sinner.
Britain were given a fast start against France in Group C with Dan Evans beating Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-4.
Cameron Norrie then defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-2 7-6(8) after coming back from 1-4 down in an absorbing tiebreak.
France won the doubles as Rinderknech, a late replacement for Pierre-Hugues Herbert, joined Nicolas Mahut to beat Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-1 6-4 — a win that could prove vital for France who had beaten the Czech Republic.
Britain play the Czechs on Sunday with top spot at stake.
Djokovic was made to work overtime in Serbia’s clash with Germany in Innsbruck where fans are not permitted.
After team mate Filip Krajinovic lost 7-6(4) 6-4 to Dominik Koepfer, Djokovic levelled the tie with a comfortable win against Jan-Lennard Struff.
