Lucas Pouille drew France level against the Czech Republic on the first day of quarter-finals ©Getty Images

Lucas Pouille marked his Davis Cup debut with a victory to draw France level at the end of the first day of their tie against the Czech Republic as rain affected two quarter-final ties.

The French team had looked on course for an early advantage in their encounter in Trinec when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took a 2-1 lead over Lukas Rosol in the opening rubber.

Rosol, who failed to win a match during the grass court season, saved two match points in a thrilling fourth set tie break before drawing level in the contest.

With the momentum on his side, Rosol delighted the home crowd by completing the comeback against the Wimbledon quarter-finalist, eventually sealing a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory.

Pouille, who also reached the last eight at Wimbledon, got France back on terms in the tie by brushing aside the challenge of Jiri Vesely in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.

After his superb debut display, France will be hopeful of winning tomorrow doubles rubber with the newly crowned Wimbledon champions Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert taking on Radek Stepanek and Adam Pavlasek.

Kyle Edmund gave defending champions Britain a 1-0 lead over Serbia in Belgrade ©Getty Images
Kyle Edmund gave defending champions Britain a 1-0 lead over Serbia in Belgrade ©Getty Images

Defending Davis Cup champions Britain ended the first day of action against Serbia content with their start after Kyle Edmund gave them a 1-0 lead by overcoming Janko Tipsarevic.

The main focus before the tie was centred on the absence of world number one Novak Djokovic for Serbia and the second ranked and newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Andy Murray for Britain.

Murray will be delighted with what he saw, having travelled as a supporter to the Serbian capital, with Edmund producing a convincing display to beat former world number eight Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

It proved the only rubber of the day possible due to rain and fading light, with Britain’s James Ward due to play Dusan Lajovic tomorrow, prior to the doubles contest.

Similarly, rain affected play in Pesaro, where Argentina took a 1-0 lead over Italy after Federico Delbonis defeated Andreas Seppi 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

The final quarter-final tie saw the United States take full control of their home tie against Croatia, as they ended the day with a 2-0 lead in Portland, with another victory ensuring them of a semi-final berth. 

Jack Sock gave the American team an early advantage as he came from two sets behind to beat Croatia’s Marin Cilic 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Following Sock's triumph, John Isner triumphed in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the second singles match of the day against Borna Coric.