Davis Cup Runner-up Russia Ousted

Russia, the United States’ opponent in the last Davis Cup final, was upset by Italy and ousted from the tournament Sunday in the first round.

Italy’s Renzo Furlan scored a 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Andrei Chesnokov in the final match in Rome to give the Italians a 3-2 victory over last year’s runner-up. Italy next will play South Africa or Austria, who were tied 1-1 in a match delayed by rain.

Meanwhile, at Carlsbad, Michael Chang downed Alejandro Hernandez, 6-0, 6-2, and Todd Martin edged Leonardo Lavalle, 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, to complete the Americans’ 5-0 rout of Mexico. They next play the Czech Republic, which downed Hungary, 5-0.

Also reaching the quarterfinals were India, which upset the Netherlands, 3-2; Sweden, which overpowered Belgium, 4-1; Germany, which beat Switzerland, 5-0, and France, which swept Denmark, 5-0.