BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Russia were struggling as they lagged behind 2-1 over Germany in the Davis Cup semfinals after the doubles in Moscow on Saturday.

In another semifinal in Gothenburg, the United States moved closer to the final as the Bryan twins gave them a 2-1 lead over Sweden.

In Moscow, Russia veteran doubles pairing of Dmitry Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny fell 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4) and 7-6 (5) to German scratch combination of Philipp Petzschner and Alexander Waske.

Tursunov said: "It's very upsetting to lose to a pair. It's useless to look for excuses. We just failed today."

Igor Andreev gave Russia the first point on Friday with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over Tommy Haas, before Philipp Kohlschreiber levelled 1-1 when he battled past world number four Nikolay Davydenko 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2, 4-6 and 7-5.

Russia must win both of Sunday's reserve singles rubbers, with Davydenko and Andreev meeting Haas and Kohlschreiber respectively.

For the United States, Mike and Bob Bryan beat Swedish doubles specialists Simon Aspelin and Jonas Bjorkman 7-6 (11), 6-2 and 6-3to extend their impressive Davis Cup doubles win-loss record to 12-1.

"I think that was our best Davis Cup match by far," said Mike Bryan. "We played two great sets so we're very happy."

Former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson kept Swedish hopes alive on Friday by defeating James Blake 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to level the scoreboard 1-1 after Andy Roddick put the Americans ahead by beating Joachim Johansson 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) and 6-3.

In Sunday's reverse singles, Roddick will meet Thomas Johansson first before Blake takes either Joachim Johansson or Jonas Bjorkman.