Davis Cup: Russia stuns Croatia

Karen Khachanov beat Borna Coric to complete Russia's win. (AFP)

Croatia opened its title defense with a loss to Russia at the inaugural Davis Cup finals in Madrid on Monday as victories from Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov got the two-time winner off to a strong start.

World No. 17 Khachanov clinched the point for Russia by fighting back to beat Croatian No. 1 Borna Coric 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4, after Rublev had earlier seen off Borna Gojo 6-3, 6-3.

Russia, who is without US Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev due to exhaustion, can wrap up a place in the quarterfinals with victory over Rafael Nadal’s Spain in their second Group B tie on Tuesday.

The 18 nations have been split into six groups of three at the Caja Magica, with the pool winners and two best runners-up to play in the last eight of the first edition of the revamped tournament.

The teams face off in two best-of-three-set singles matches and one doubles rubber in each tie.

Khachanov and Rublev will take on Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic in the doubles later on Monday, with every rubber possibly crucial in case teams finish level on points.

Canada claimed victory over well-fancied Italy to strike first in Group F.

World No. 12 Fabio Fognini slumped to a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 defeat by Vasek Pospisil, ranked 150th, before rising star Denis Shapovalov edged out Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/5).

“I’m really happy to get the win against a player like Matteo who has had such a good season,” said Shapovalov.

“I always love representing my country… It’s not often you get to play as a team, so it’s amazing.”

Shapovalov and Pospisil were due to face Simone Bolelli and Lorenzo Sonego in the doubles.

Italy, who won its only Davis Cup title in 1976, was the favorite in Group F with Fognini and Berrettini both having enjoyed excellent seasons.

The 20-year-old Shapovalov saved three set points before snatching the first set in a tie-break, only for Berrettini to level the match in a second-set breaker.

A clash without a single break of serve, was decided by another tie-break, with Shapovalov reeling off the last three points to win after two hours and 52 minutes on court.

Canada takes on the United States on Tuesday, with Italy facing the US the following day.

Belgium made a victorious start in Group D with back-to-back singles wins against Colombia.

The South Americans are playing at the top level of Davis Cup tennis for the first time, having never played in the old World Group.

Steve Darcis saw off Santiago Giraldo 6-3, 6-2, before world No. 11 David Goffin had to battle back from a set down to avoid a shock against 194th-ranked Daniel Elahi Galan Riveros, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.