MOSCOW — Marat Safin overcame a two-set deficit to defeat Tomas Berdych 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 today and help Russia hold on for a 1-1 split against the Czech Republic on the opening day of the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

In the second match of the best-of-five series, Radek Stepanek defeated Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

The former top-ranked Safin, who has struggled on the ATP tour so far this season, saved 16 of 17 break points. It was the first time Safin had rallied from a two-set deficit to win, while Berdych dropped to 9-1 in five-set matches.

Safin served well but struggled through the first two sets. He broke the ninth-ranked Berdych early in the third set to stay in the match on indoor clay, then seized control with eight consecutive points early in the fourth.

The two-time Grand Slam champion dominated the final set, dragging the tiring Berdych into long rallies. Safin trailed 0-30 in the final game, but hit three of his 30 aces and saved another break point on the way to the win.

"I think he has just showed that he's still a great player," Berdych said. "If somebody told me on the chair after the second set that it's going to be this way, I would not have believed it."

Stepanek controlled from the start of the match, often coming to the net and converting four of five break points. He closed out the match with his 12th ace.

On Saturday, Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny are expected to face the Czech pair of Lukas Dlouhy and Pavel Vizner in doubles.