Russia made an impressive start to the defence of their Davis Cup title on Friday by taking a 2-0 lead over Chile in the opening singles rubbers of their world group first-round tie.

Former world number one Marat Safin set the Russians on their way with a straight sets victory over Olympic champion Nicolas Massu before Igor Andreev upset world number five Fernando Gonzalez in four sets.

The Russians had made the long trip to Chile without two of their top players, and when a third, Dmitry Tursunov, withdrew with an injury on Thursday, Chilean hopes were high.

But former US and Australian Open champion Safin subdued a restive 10,000-strong home crowd in this Pacific beach resort with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

The big Russian did not always look comfortable on the slow red clay but kept his nerve on the big points in contrast to his opponent.

After losing the first set, the Chilean had four break points in the second but squandered them all, smashing his racket on the ground in frustration after losing the fourth and earning a warning from the umpire. 

Massu, ranked 42 in the world to Safin's 24, finally broke serve in the final set for a 2-0 lead, but Safin immediately broke back before winning the next five games to round out the match in two hours 13 minutes.

Safin said he had expected a tougher challenge from a man who beat him in straight sets in their only ATP encounter, in Rome in 2004.

"He didn't take advantage of his opportunities, for example when he had a break point," Safin said. "He didn't take it and then I started to play much better. I took my opportunities. But, yes, I expected a little bit more from Massu."

BLAZING SUN

In the second tie, Gonzalez showed signs of the tremendous form which helped him beat Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal and Tommy Haas en route to last month's Australian Open final, and he took the first set 6-4.

But Andreev, ranked 142 places below his opponent, kept his head and produced a series of elegant ground strokes to break serve three times in the second set and level the scores.

Playing under a blazing sun tempered by a brisk sea breeze, Andreev raced to a 3-0 lead in the third set and Gonzalez's challenge wilted. 

When the Russian saved five break points in the second game of the final set it was evident it was not Gonzalez's day and Andreev quickly wrapped up an unexpected but deserved 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory.

"It's obvious I didn't like the surface but the surface is the same for both players and the one who takes best advantage of the difficulties and the conditions is often the one who wins," Gonzalez said.

"The situation (for Chile) is pretty difficult but there's nothing to lose. Maybe I'm not in the best physical condition but I'm keen to play."

Gonzalez and Massu must now pick themselves up for Saturday's doubles, where they face Teimuraz Gabashvili and untested Igor Kunitsyn, a late replacement for the injured Tursunov.

On paper, the Chileans should win that match, but Gonzalez and Massu will then have to play for a third consecutive day in Sunday's reverse singles against a rested Safin and Andreev.