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The US face a challenge to reach the finals of the ATP Cup after suffering a shock loss to Norway in their opening tie.

*Subs, this update only adds Great Britain v Bulgaria results in the last 3 pars*

World No.54 Casper Ruud was the toast of Norway on Friday after leading his nation to an upset ATP Cup victory over the US in Perth.

With Norway trailing 1-0 in the tie, Ruud had to save two match points before toppling world No.19 John Isner 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (12-10) 7-5 in two hours and 43 minutes.

Norway then came from a set down to win an epic doubles encounter 4-6 6-3 10-5 (match tiebreak), with the result handing them a shock 2-1 win in the tie.

Norway were meant to be easybeats at the ATP Cup, but their courage-filled triumph over the US will put their Group D rivals on edge.

"I think there are some people at home following, proud that Norway have beaten the United States in tennis," Ruud said.

"I think I made a great effort today.

"We were one point away from losing the tie, and even if I'd lost (against Isner) 7-6, 7-6, I wouldn't have thought I'd done a lot wrong."

World No.32 Taylor Fritz got the US off to a good start when he posted a 6-2 6-2 victory over world No.332 Viktor Durasovic.

But the US decision to partner Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram together in the live mixed doubles backfired, with Ruud and Durasovic coming up with the goods.

Russia's powerful team started their campaign with a hard-fought win over Italy.

Karen Khachanov saved a set point on the way to a 7-5 6-3 win over Stefano Travaglia, before world No.5 Daniil Medvedev overcame a horror start to beat Fabio Fognini 1-6 6-1 6-3.

Medvedev lost the opening five games of the match before finally finding his rhythm.

"I'm really happy with the win," Medvedev said.

"I'm not happy with some of my performance, but the most important thing is to win for the country."

Fognini's brave effort was all the more meritorious given he only arrived in Perth a night earlier following the birth of his second child.

In a tie that went into the early hours of the morning in Sydney, Bulgaria prevailed over Great Britain 2-1 after winning the live doubles rubber.

Cameron Norrie beat Dimitar Kuzmanov in three sets before world No.20 Grigor Dimitrov levelled the tie with a 2-6 6-4 6-1 victory over Daniel Evans.

Bulgaria then came out on tops in the doubles 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 11-9 (match tiebreak) as the clock approached 3am.