Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka exceeded all expectations in his opening rubber against Nicolas Almagro to give his country a 1-0 lead in the first round Davis Cup tie against Spain.

Wawrinka, who took a 6 week off post Australian Open, looked extremely impressive in his 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over home favourite Nicolas Almagro in a match that lasted four hours in play.

“It was not easy to leave my home after two weeks so I’m very happy and this win is for them,” Wawrinka said about his wife Ilham and baby daughter Alexia.

David Ferrer, who played a crucial part in Spain's victory at the 2009 Davis Cup final, finally came to the home team's rescue and beat Marco Chiudinelli 6-2, 7-6, 6-1 to level the tie at 1-1.

In today's doubles rubber, Spaniards Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers will take on Yves Allegro and Stanislas Wawrinka to make an attempt to give host nation a formidable lead.