FED CUP QUARTER-FINALS Spain 0-2 Belgium Austria 1-1 USA Argentina 1-1 Russia Italy 0-2 France

Chanda Rubin wasted three match points before beating Barbara Schwartz 6-1 5-7 6-4 in a marathon 142-minute match to give the USA an early lead.

But Barbara Schett levelled proceedings with a 6-2 6-4 win over Lisa Raymond.

Argentina and Russia ended the opening day at 1-1, defending champions France took a 2-0 lead over Italy as did Belgium in their tie against Spain.

Rubin had a chance to close out her match against Schwartz at 40-0, 5-1 in the second set.

But in a see-saw deciding set, the American finally broke in the seventh game, going on to win her first match since returning to the tour after a knee injury.

In Buenos Aires, Gisela Dulko beat world number nine Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 3-6 6-4 to give Argentina the early advantage over Russia.

However, the opening day ended level after French Open winner Anastasia Myskina won the second rubber 6-3 6-0 against Natalia Gussoni.

World number three Amelie Mauresmo notched up her 11th Fed Cup singles win with a one-sided 6-2 6-1 win over Silvia Farina-Elia to give France an early lead over Italy.

Mary Pierce doubled France's advantage with a 6-3 6-4 victory against Francesca Schiavone.

In the day's final tie Belgium, without Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters, took the lead against Spain.

Kirsten Flipkens beat Anabel Medina Garrigues 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 6-2 in an opening rubber that lasted more than two hours in the crushing heat of south Spain.

Els Callens and Virginia Ruano Pascal then played out a three hour and 35 minute marathon before Callens came through 2-6 6-4 11-9.