Holders Sweden were facing early elimination after yesterday's opening singles of their World Group Davis Cup tie against Slovakia in Bratislava after Magnus Norman and Mikael Tillstroem crashed to defeat.

The Swedes, who defeated the USA in last year's final, were left rocking as Australian Open semifinalist Karol Kucera beat Tillstroem 1-6 6-1 6-2 6-4, while up-and-coming star Dominik Hrbaty edged out Magnus Norman 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-4 3-6 6-2.

The match between the United States and Russia had to be postponed due to bad weather.

Tim Henman played some superb tennis as he beat Andrei Medvedev in a five-set thriller to give Britain a 2-0 lead over Ukraine at Newcastle. Greg Rusedski had already beaten Andrei Rybalko 6-4 6-0 6-4 in the opening rubber of this Euro/African Zone Group One contest before Henman's marathon so Britain now look certain to go forward to the World Group qualifying round in September.

Henman won 6-2 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 16 6-1 to win a three-hour battle.