TAIPEI, Taiwan — Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione scored straight set wins today to power Australia to a 2-0 lead over Taiwan in their Asia/Oceania Zone Group I first-round Davis Cup tie.

Hewitt, ranked 22nd in the world, outclassed Chen Ti (270) 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 in the opening match on hardcourt at the Yangming Tennis Stadium in Kaohsiung, while Guccione (86) turned backed a stiff challenge from Lu Yen-hsun (108) to prevail 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-6 (11-9).

Hewitt was content to stay on the baseline against Chen, whose numerous unforced errors undermined an otherwise creditable groundstroke display.

Guccione struggled with his groundstrokes against the nimbler and more consistent Lu, but the tall Australian's formidable serve — he was never broken — got him to tiebreakers in the 1st and 3rd sets, where he was able to finish off his opponent.

In doubles action Saturday, Hewitt and Paul Hanley are scheduled to go up against Lu and Jimmy Wang.