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[huma]

MOSCOW: Substitute Igor Kunitsyn rallied to beat Somdev Devvarman 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4 in the opening singles on Friday to give Russia a 1-0 lead over India in their Davis Cup World Group first-round contest.

Kunitsyn replaced Igor Andreev, who injured his left knee during practice late Thursday. Andreev had been called in to play for the injured Nikolay Davydenko, Russia's top player.

The 13th-ranked Mikhail Youzhny was scheduled to take on India's Rohan Bopanna in the second singles match.

A doubles match is scheduled for Saturday with the reverse singles to wrap up on Sunday.

The winner will play either Argentina or Sweden in the quarterfinals on July 9-11.