World number two Kim Clijsters made a winning return for Belgium in the Fed Cup against Croatia on Saturday though both Japan and Australia had trouble, dropping 2-0 behind in their away matches.

Australia found there was no Fed Cup miracle as they slipped 2-0 down to Russia.

Anastasia Myskina gave Russia a 1-0 lead with a straight sets 6-4, 6-1 victory over Samantha Stosur.

Stosur rallied from a break down to level at 4-4 in the opening set, but the Russian number one was too powerful for the 20-year-old from Brisbane running out a comfortable winner.

In the second rubber, Australia number one Alicia Molik battled hard for nearly two hours against Svetlana Kuznetsova. But after rallying strongly in the second set she eventually went down 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Australia need to win both the reverse singles on Sunday as well as the doubles to go through to the next round.

Belgium's Clijsters, out for five weeks with an injured left wrist, celebrated her comeback with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 win over Jelena Kostanic in this World Group first round match.

"I'm very happy," Clijsters said after the match.

"I knew my rhythm was off so I was not surprised I struggled. After more than a month away, it's impossible to come straight back and perform at the same level."

Clijsters ran away with the first set 6-1 though struggled in the second set and Kostanic shot to a 3-0 lead. The Belgium levelled at 4-4 but could not stop Kostanic winning it 6-4.

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