Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer guided Germany to a surprise victory over Russia at the World Team Cup in Dusseldorf.

In Monday's other game, Argentina saved a match point in the deciding doubles before beating Sweden 2-1.

Haas got the better of Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7-6 6-3, taking the last four games for the loss of just two points as the Russians' woes continued.

Although Kafelnikov triumphed in the French Open final at Roland Garros in 1996, his clay court form since has been disappointing.

"I'm missing confidence at the moment and that's an important factor, but sooner rather than later I will get it," Kafelnikov said.

"Losing becomes a habit, but I have to deal with it. I've been there before, and hopefully I'll get through it again."

Aggressive play

Kiefer had far more difficulty in closing out his 6-4 2-6 7-6 win over Marat Safin, recovering a break at 3-3 in the final set.

After being broken for 4-3, he immediately broke back to love and resisted another break point that would have left him trailing 5-4.

"I've said over the last couple of weeks that only a little bit was missing," said a delighted Kiefer.

"Today I had a very good first set and in the third I was very aggressive when I went a break down... and finally I had a good tiebreak."

Doubles nail-biter

Sweden's Thomas Enqvist beat Jose Acasuso in three sets in the opening game of their match.

He almost squandered his chance of victory when he dropped his serve to love after breaking to lead 6-5 in the deciding set.

Enqvist eventually won 4-6 6-1 7-6.

Guillermo Canas put Argentina back on level terms by defeating Thomas Johansson in the final stages.

In the doubles, Lucas Arnold and Gaston Etlis edged past Jonas Bjorkman and Johansson in three sets, triumphing 11-9 in the third.

World Team Cup results:

Argentina 2-1 Sweden
Thomas Enqvist (Swe) bt Jose Acasuso (Arg) 4-6 6-1 7-6 (7/5)
Guillermo Canas (Arg) bt Thomas Johansson (Swe) 6-2 4-6 6-0
Lucas Arnold/Gaston Etlis (Arg) bt Jonas Bjorkman/Thomas Johansson (Swe) 6-3 6-7 (3/7) 11-9

Germany 2-1 Russia
Tommy Haas (Ger) bt Yevgeny Kafelnikov (Rus) 7-6 (7/5),6-3
Nicolas Kiefer (Ger) bt Marat Safin (Russia) 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7/5)
Kafelnikov/Safin (Rus) bt Karsten Braasch/Lars Burgsmuller (Ger) 6-1 6-1

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