Robredo, Andujar give Spain 2-0 lead over Russia in Davis Cup

Tommy Robredo and Pablo Andujar gave long haul travellers Spain a 2-0 lead against Russia after the first day of the Davis Cup Group One Euro-African Zone second round tie in Vladivostok on Friday.

Five-time former Davis Cup titleholders Spain made the 13,000 kilometre trip from Madrid to the city near Russia's border with North Korea and China without stars David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal.

But veteran Robredo got Spain off to a perfect start by beating Russian teenager Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours.

"It was much tougher than you'd think looking at the scoreline," Robredo said.

"Towards the end it was very hard to keep my concentration and energy because of the high humidity here in Vladivostok. But my teammates' support helped me a lot.

"Of course I had an advantage as my experience helped me today in the deciding moments."

Andujar then despatched Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 to put his team, now coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez after Gala Leon was sacked off, firmly in control.

The opening day wins gave Spanish tennis something to smile about after Nadal's swift Wimbledon demise and conflict at the Spanish Tennis Federation.

Fernando Fernandez-Ladreda was this month named as the body's new president in place of Jose Luis Escanuela, who quit over mis-management charges.

Robredo commented: "I believe that our team's strong spirit will help us to overcome the consequences of the recent conflict in our tennis federation. We all want to return to the World Group as soon as possible."

Andujar added: "I'm pleased both with the result and my performance today as I played solid tennis and managed to avoid any serious mistakes.

"I'm really happy to win the second point for my team today. It's very important to lead the score after the first day."

After trading breaks from the start the 29-year-old Spaniard moved up a gear to take four consecutive games.

Khachanov, 19, who looked a bit nervous, producing a catalogue of unforced errors, reduced the arrears in the eighth game but Andujar broke again in the ninth to win the opening set.

In the second Andujar confirmed his supremacy at the hard court of Vladivostok Fetisov arena as he broke twice again for a two-set lead, while Khachanov broke back once.

In the third Khachanov, who is 187th in the world, suddenly lost his nerve allowing Andujar to earn a commanding 4-0 advantage which he confidently kept through to win the set and the match in one hour 56 minutes.

The doubles clash continues the tie's programme on Saturday ahead of Sunday's reverse singles.
Source: AFP