GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany, March 6 (UPI) -- Germany and Austria split their singles matches Friday at the start of the first round of the 2009 Davis Cup at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
In the day's opener, Stefan Koubek gave Austria a 1-0 edge with a 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 victory against Rainer Schuettler.
Later, Philipp Kohlschreiber overcame a 2-0 deficit by winning the final three sets.
His 6-7 (4-7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Jurgen Melzer lasted nearly four hours, and was his first-ever comeback from two-set deficit.
"Juergen played amazing tennis in the first two sets but somehow I turned it around," Kohlschreiber told reporters.
In Saturday's doubles, Christopher Kas and Nicolas Kiefer face Melzer and Julian Knowle.
The eventual winner will face either Spain or Serbia in the quarterfinals in July.
