Holders Croatia held a 2-0 lead over Austria and the U.S. recovered from a shock defeat for Andy Roddick [Images] to draw level with Romania after the opening singles matches in the Davis Cup World Group first round on Friday.

Last year's runners-up Slovakia trailed Chile 2-0 and Belarus led 2004 champions Spain, while Australia and Switzerland [Images], each without their top players Roger Federer [Images] and Lleyton Hewitt [Images], were level at 1-1 going into Saturday's doubles in Geneva.

Croatia were in command against Austria after Mario Ancic recovered from two sets down to beat Juergen Melzer in a five-set marathon lasting more than 4-� hours, while Ivan Ljubicic had a much easier time as he cruised past Stefan Koubek.

American James Blake beat Romania's Victor Hanescu 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 to level the tie after Andrei Pavel had rallied from two sets down to beat world number three Andy Roddick 6-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.

"I gave it all and risked it all," Pavel told reporters. "It's a happy day for us."

The 32-year-old Pavel saved a match point in the third set tiebreak with a brilliant top-spin lob.

Roddick then struggled badly after losing the tiebreak 10-8. The American was treated for an injury to his right wrist early in the fourth set and was physically sick on court before slumping to defeat.

Max Mirnyi beat Tommy Robredo in four sets and Vladimir Voltchkov needed only three to overcome David Ferrer as Belarus went 2-0 up in Minsk against a Spain team without world number two Rafael Nadal [Images] and Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Russia [Images], playing in Amsterdam minus their best player Marat Safin [Images], established a 2-0 lead over the Netherlands after Dmitry Tursunov [Images] beat Raemon Sluiter in four tight sets and Nikolay Davydenko followed with a three-set win over Melle van Gemerden.

Australia's Peter Luczak notched his first Davis Cup victory in his second appearance by beating Michael Lammer 1-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 before Stanislas Wawrinka brought the Swiss level with a 7-5 3-6 6-4 7-6 win over Chris Guccione.

CROATIA DOMINATE

Croat Ancic dug into the reserves that helped him clinch the deciding rubber in last year's final against Slovakia to beat Melzer 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

"I am very, very happy to have earned this first point," said a relieved Ancic."

Ljubicic beat Koubek 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to lift his team to a 2-0 lead as he celebrated his second consecutive victory over the Austrian in Davis Cup play. The world number five dominated the match and left the 300 Croatian fans cheering.

"Currently my tennis is nearly perfect and, contrary to the Austrians' opinion, this is my favourite surface. If I play like this only very few players in the world can beat me," he said.

France [Images] were 2-0 up on Germany [Images] after Sebastien Grosjean beat Nicolas Kiefer 7-5, 7-6, 6-0, avenging his defeat in last month's Australian Open, and Richard Gasquet overcame Tommy Haas 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

Argentina were also 2-0 ahead against seven-times champions Sweden in Buenos Aires after David Nalbandian, the world number four, defeated Robin Soderling 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1. Jose Acasuso crushed Thomas Johansson 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.

Slovakia, losing finalists in December, were in trouble in Chile after Fernando Gonzalez brushed aside Michal Mertinak 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 and Nicolas Massu beat Domink Hrbaty 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-6.

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