The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Moscow

Mikhail Youzhny rallied to beat Nenad Zimonjic 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the opening singles Friday and give Russia a 1-0 lead over Serbia in the World Group first round of the Davis Cup.

Youzhny was drawn to play Novak Djokovic, but the Australian Open champion became the second player after teammate Janko Tipsarevic to pull out of the opening singles because of the flu.

Zimonjic, a doubles specialist ranked No. 689, was playing his first competitive singles match since April. He broke Youzhny with a drop shot in the third game and held on to win the first set. Youzhny had an early break in the second set and rallied from love-40 in the seventh game to level at 1-1.

He then dominated the match, breaking the Serb twice in the third set and once in the fourth.

Youzhny said Zimonjic's late substitution after Djokovic had felt sick all week was difficult for him.