Gonzalez win helps Chile hold USA

DAVIS CUP QUARTER-FINALS DAY ONE RESULTS: Australia 2-0 Belarus Croatia 1-1 Argentina France 0-2 Russia USA 1-1 Chile

Fernando Gonzalez came from two sets down to upset James Blake as Chile held the USA 1-1 on day one of their Davis Cup quarter-final tie in California.

After a gruelling four hours and 20 minutes, Gonzalez won the see-saw match 6-7 (5-7) 0-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 10-8.

The Chilean had trailed by a break in both the third and fifth sets but held on for the gritty victory.

But world number four Andy Roddick pulled the hosts level by beating Nicolas Massu 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5).

Blake said he was not surprised at Gonzalez's prowess on the grass court at Mission Hills Country Club, given that he is a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist.

"He hits the ball so big and serves so well," Blake said. "I think it has been blown out of proportion that the grass was meant to make them uncomfortable.

"It was all about our being comfortable. It's the surface Andy is most comfortable on and I think he's the second-best grass-court player in the world."

He hits the ball so big and serves so well James Blake on losing to Fernando Gonzalez

Elsewhere on day one, Russia took a commanding 2-0 lead against France in Paris.

Marat Safin put his injury worries behind him to beat Richard Gasquet 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-7 6-1 in the opening rubber.

And Nikolay Davydenko fended off Arnaud Clement 3-6 6-2 6-4 7-6 in an epic battle that lasted over three hours.

David Nalbandian levelled Argentina's tie with Croatia 1-1 with a 6-1 6-1 6-2 thrashing of Marin Cilic after Ivan Ljubicic had beaten Agustin Calleri.

Ljubicic fought back from two sets and 4-1 down in a tie-break in Zagreb to beat Calleri 6-7 5-7 7-6 6-1 6-2.

Cilic had stepped in for Croatian number two Mario Ancic, who is struggling to recover from a back injury.

Ancic remains hopeful of returning to partner Ljubicic in Saturday's doubles.

Russia's Safin was delighted with his performance, which he described as his best since clinching the Australian Open title in 2005.

"I'm really happy with the way I played, definitely my best since Melbourne last year," he said.

I just tried to stay mentally tough and hang in Lleyton Hewitt

"Since I came back from the injury I've really struggled to find my rhythm, but if I continue to play like that I should be able to get back into the top 10.

"I served really well which I haven't done for a while."

And Australia resume against Belarus in Melbourne with a 2-0 lead after Chris Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt both won on the opening day.

Guccione, 20, landed 20 aces as he overcame Max Mirnyi 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 7-5 3-6 6-4 in nearly four hours.

Hewitt then ignored pre-match criticism from Vladimir Voltchkov to beat him 6-2 6-1 6-2 in a cold and windy Melbourne.

"It was pretty tough conditions out there," Hewitt said. "I just tried to stay mentally tough and hang in."

The winner over three days will play Croatia or Argentina in the semi-finals in September.