Wiener Neustadt (Austria), Feb 10: Jurgen Melzer battled past Igor Kunitsyn 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 Friday to give Austria a 1-0 lead against Russia in the first round of the Davis Cup.
Melzer had 23 aces and more than 80 winners as he overpowered Kunitsyn, who won both previous matches against the Austrian on the ATP tour.
Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev had unexpectedly picked the 79th-ranked Kunitsyn instead of his highest ranked player, Mikhail Youzhny.
Andreas Haider-Maurer will play Alex Bogomolov Jr., who makes his debut for Russia, in the second singles match later Friday.
