Defending Davis Cup champion Russia, playing without world No. 7 Marat Safin, split 1-1 with the Czech Republic after Friday's singles in the first round of the World Group.
France, last year's Davis Cup runner-up, had an easier time against Romania, winning both singles in straight sets to lead 2-0 heading into Saturday's doubles.
In other ties: Australia took a 2-0 lead over Britain; Spain has a 2-0 advantage over Belgium; Argentina leads Germany 2-0; Brazil is equal with Sweden 1-1; the US came back to tie 1-1 with Croatia; and Switzerland and the Netherlands are even at 1-1.
In Ostrava, Czech Republic, Jiri Novak gave the hosts a quick lead by beating Russian rookie Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Davydenko, who is ranked 62nd, came in as a last-minute replacement for Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who withdrew from singles action for health reasons and will only play doubles.
"I was a bit nervous at the beginning, knowing how important this match was," said Novak, the world No. 10. "I am glad I managed to get my act together and win the final two sets."
Mikhail Youzhny brought the Russians back into the tie in the second singles match, beating Radek Stepanek in a five-set marathon 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-3.
Safin is sidelined with a wrist injury.
In Bucharest, Sebastien Grosjean and Nicolas Escude helped France, which has played three of the last four Davis Cup finals but won just once, take a 2-0 lead over Romania.
Grosjean beat Adrian Voinea 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (10) and Escude, the 2001 Davis Cup hero, topped Andrei Pavel 7-6 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (5).
Grosjean, the world No. 12 and France's top-ranked player, took control of the match early and capitalized on his precise serve and powerful forehands.
"The French players showed better form," Romanian Tennis Federation chairman Ilie Nastase said. "We cannot complain about having bad luck."
In Sydney, Australia, Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis had little trouble overcoming a depleted Britain, which is missing its top two players because of injury.
World No. 1 Hewitt had a slow, error-prone start before beating British left-hander Alex Bogdanovic 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 while Philippoussis defeated Alan Mackin 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
"I was nervous early in that first set, and really didn't know what to expect," Hewitt said. "I never thought it would be an easy match. This is Davis Cup, and anything can happen."
Britain is playing without the injured Tim Henman and Greg Rusesdki.
In Seville, Spain, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya both won in straight sets as Spain took a commanding lead over Belgium.
Ferrero easily beat Christophe Rochus 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, but Moya had a harder time against Xavier Malisse, winning 7-6 (2), 6-1, 7-6 (5).
Spain, which won the Davis Cup in 2000, has three players in the Top 10 -- Fererro, Moya and Albert Costa, last year's French Open champion.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gaston Gaudio overcome windy and rainy conditions to beat Germany's Rainer Schuettler 6-2, 6-3, 6-0.
In the second match, Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian topped Lars Burgsmueller 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5 to put Argentina in control.
Germany last won the Davis Cup in 1993 while Argentina has reached the final just once, losing to the United States in 1981.
In Helsingborg, Sweden, former world No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil beat Andreas Vinciguerra 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on the fast indoor carpet but Jonas Bjorkman, one of the world's top doubles players, evened the score at 1-1 after beating Andre Sa 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.
RSS