After a six-year absence, Russia returned with a winning effort in its opening tie against Italy in a first-time meeting between the two nations at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship.

The Russian team, comprised of three members of last year’s Davis Cup finalist squad, entered Monday's doubles match with an unassailable 2-0 lead after Mikhail Youzhny and Igor Andreev each battled to three-sets victories on Sunday. Both matches spanned nearly 2-1/2 hours.

World No. 16 Youzhny, who represented the Rochusclub in an away match for the Bundesliga, prevailed against Italian Potito Starace, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the first rubber on Center Court II.

He said: "I heard a lot of good things about the tournament. That’s why I decided to come here this year and I really enjoy to be here.”

Afterwards, Andreev closed out his 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 win against recent Munich finalist Simone Bolelli. Andreev converted on two of his 15 break point chances while Bolelli failed to take advantage of his three.

Italy salvaged the whitewash as Simone Bolelli and Potito Starace teamed up to a 6-4, 6-4 win over Andreev and Dmitry Tursunov.

Russia is making its 11th appearance at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship, and its first since achieving its third straight runner-up finish in 2002.

Two-time finalist Italy is playing in Duesseldorf for the eighth time.