Slovakia secured a surprise win over Germany when Karol Kucera beat Florian Mayer in the decisive singles of their Davis Cup World Group play-off. Germany led 2-1 going into the final day in Bratislava but the home side levelled when Dominik Hrbaty beat Tommy Haas 6-3 6-3 7-5.
And Kucera, who replaced Karol Beck, completed the job with a 6-4 6-0 6-2 win over Mayer.
In Moscow, Russia sealed a comprehensive 5-0 win over Thailand.
Romania saw off Canada 4-1 in Bucharest, with Andrei Pavel beating Frank Dancevic 6-2 6-4 6-2 for the decisive point.
 | DAVIS CUP PLAY-OFFS Australia 4-1 Morocco Chile 5-0 Japan Croatia 3-2 Belgium Paraguay 0-5 Czech Rep Slovakia 3-2 Germany Austria 3-2 GB Romania 4-1 Canada Russia 5-0 Thailand |
Olivier Rochus and Gilles Elseneer gave some repectability to the score for Belgium against Croatia, with wins over Sasa Tuksar and Mario Ancic making it 3-2 to the home side in Rijeka. Morocco salvaged some pride after defeat with victory in the first reverse singles match in Perth.
Australia took an unassailable 3-0 lead after Saturday's doubles but Mounir El Aarej beat Todd Reid 6-2 6-3 on Sunday.
"I played good today. I was in good shape. I think he had a lot of pressure because it is the first time he has played Davis Cup," El Aarej said.
Todd Woodbridge beat Medhi Ziadi 6-0 6-2 to seal the tie 4-1.
MMIX
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