Switzerland took advantage of Novak Djokovic's absence to open a 2-0 lead over last year's runners-up Serbia in their Davis Cup tie on Friday with Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka winning their singles rubbers.
Federer beat 268th-ranked Ilija Bozoljac 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 while Wawrinka, fresh from winning his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open, eased past Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(7).
France got off to a flier against Australia with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beating gutsy veteran Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(2) after Richard Gasquet outclassed Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-2.
The Czechs, who retained the Davis Cup in November, were losing 1-0 to the Netherlands in Ostrava, with Radek Stepanek going down in five sets to Robin Haase before Tomas Berdych plays Igor Sijsling.
Ward's upset win puts Britain 2-0 up on U.S.
James Ward won 10 of the last 11 games to upset big-serving Sam Querrey 1-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday and give Britain a commanding 2-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie in San Diego.
The 175th-ranked Ward sealed his stunning victory over the 49th-ranked Querrey in just over three hours after Wimbledon champion Andy Murray had crushed Donald Young, the replacement for the injured John Isner, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in the opening singles match at Petco Park.
Ward let out a deafening scream after ending the match on the red clay surface with an overhead forehand smash, having improved his Davis Cup singles record to 9-5.
Federer was crazy with joy on my Australian Open win: Wawrinka
Davis Cup: Federer to join Wawrinka as Switzerland battle Serbia
Indians at Australian Open: Paes-Stepanek exit after quarter-final loss
Isner wants prize money rule change to lower injury-induced withdrawals
Recuperating Nadal on course for Buenos Aires ATP event