On February 1, the tennis world officially kicked off the Davis Cup 2013 at the National Tennis Center in Astana, Kazakhstan. The tournament is being held in several countries, including Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Argentina, Canada and the US.
The World Group kicked off the first round of the tournament, with Kazakhstan going against Austria at home. The game began at 12 p.m. Astana time (1 a.m. EST), with the first match played by Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev and Austria's Andreas Haider-Maurer.
The Kazakhstan team took the first point in the Day 1 matches, with Golubev winning 7-6(2), 6-3 and 7-6(5). The second match between the two countries pitted Kazakhstan's Evgeny Korolev against Austria's Jurgen Melzer. Like Golubev before him, Korolev won his match against the Austrian bring the score up 2-0. Korolev beat Melzer 7-6(4), 6-3 and 6-2.
The next match, a doubles game, will pit Kazakstan's Golubev and Schukin against Austria's Knowle and Peya. The doubles match will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. local time (3 a.m. EST) and will be followed by the final two singles matches on Sunday at the same time.
The winner of the matchup during the first round will go on to play against the winner of the Switzerland vs. Czech Republic matchup in the Quarterfinals held on April 5-7.
Watch the matches live here. The next matchups will be Switzerland vs. Czech Republic at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland and France vs. Israel at Kindarena in Rouen, France.
Day 1 Schedules-
Switzerland vs. Czech Republic: Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland (7 a.m. EST)
France vs. Israel: Kindarena, Rouen, France (7 a.m. EST)
Italy vs. Croatia: Palavela, Turin, Italy (8 a.m. EST)
Belgium vs. Serbia: Spiroudome de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium (8 a.m. EST)
Argentina vs. Germany: Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, Argentina (9 a.m. EST)
Canada vs. Spain: Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver, Canada (1 p.m. EST)
USA vs. Brazil: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, USA (2 p.m. EST)
Recaps-
Kazakhstan 2 - Austria 0 | Next match: Saturday at 3 a.m. EST