Chakvetadze clinched the victory by beating Israel's Tzipi Obziler 6-4, 6-2 in the second match.

Earlier, Australian Open champion Sharapova swept past Shahar Peer 6-1, 6-1 to give the Russians a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five matchup.

In the final match of the day, the Russian doubles team of Elena Vesnina and Dinara Safina defeated Peer and Obziler, 6-0, 1-6, 6-4.

Russia next plays the United States or Germany in the second round. Israel will play in a World Group playoff.

Peer, ranked 17th, was unable to counter fifth-ranked Sharapova, who used pinpoint accuracy throughout the match. After tying the first set at 1-1, Peer lost nine games in a row and couldn't cope with Sharapova's strength and agility.

Sharapova won on her fifth match point.

"I realized I was one point from winning the match and I definitely had a few nerves towards the end but I am glad I won," Sharapova said.

Peer was clearly disappointed.

"I did everything I could," Peer said. "I think she was playing really well and putting pressure on me the whole match. I wasn't playing badly but I couldn't win the important points. Her unforced errors were only on the points which weren't important. I guess that's why she's there at the top."

Sharapova made her Fed Cup debut with a win over Tzipi Obziler on Saturday.