Spain off to bad start in Davis Cup

LONDON – Spain’s title defense began nervously after Switzerland pocketed the first singles while the Czech Republic, Serbia, France, Russia and Croatia swept their matches on the first day of Davis Cup World Group action on Friday.

The 2-0 leads for the Czechs over host Belgium, Serbia over the United States, France against Germany, Russia over India, and Croatia against Ecuador followed the formbook, but Argentina surprisingly tied Sweden 1-1 in Stockholm and gave David Nalbandian another chance to be a hero.

Chile and Israel were set to start their tie in Coquimbo on Saturday, a day late because of the killer earthquake and tsunami last weekend.

In a converted Logrono bullring, Swiss No. 1 Stanislas Wawrinka, playing his first match since the Australian Open after the birth of his daughter, outlasted Nicolas Almagro, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, but David Ferrer accounted for Marco Chiudinelli, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-1, to soothe Spanish worries.

How far Switzerland push Spain will depend on Wawrinka, who after playing four hours on Friday will have doubles on Saturday and reverse singles on Sunday, a day the tie wasn’t expected to be alive. Next, though, he and Yves Allegro will meet the experienced Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers, who have teamed up for the first time in the Cup.

In Bree, Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek began their quest to return the Czech Republic to the final for a second straight year by not dropping a set against Belgium.

Berdych defeated Olivier Rochus, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4, despite 36 unforced errors then Stepanek downed Xavier Malisse, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (3). The pair wasn’t named for the doubles.         (AP)