DUESSELDORF, Germany -- Marat Safin's back injury started Argentina on the way to a 3-0 sweep of Russia in the final of the World Team Cup on Saturday, putting his appearance in the French Open in doubt.

A pinched nerve forced Safin to quit after Jose Acasuso recovered from dropping the first set to lead 2-6, 6-3, 3-0.

Guillermo Canas trounced Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4, 6-2 in the second singles match to seal the victory for Argentina, its first in the team competition since it beat Italy in 1980.

Lucas Arnold and Gaston Etlis finished off Argentina's 3-0 sweep with a 6-4, 6-1 doubles victory over Andrei Cherkasov and Kafelnikov.

The back problem that began during Russia's doubles match against Spain on Wednesday raised doubt the second-seeded Safin can play in the French Open, which begins in Paris on Monday. He took time out for treatment when playing Martin Lee of Britain on Friday, and again in the third set against Acasuso.

``I'm going to the hospital to check my back, and I'll see what the situation is,'' Safin said. ``They think it's a nerve between the ribs which is irritated. I still have two days to recover and we'll see if I can play'' in Paris.

``I will try, of course, in Paris, but it's not going to be good for my health. If I can do something in the next two days and I can get better, that will be great. Hopefully, they will give me a Tuesday start to give me a chance to recover.''

The injury is not related to the back problem that dogged him for several months last year.

``The pain is quite bad if I have to retire. Otherwise, I don't even think it would have been three sets. Starting from the second set, I began to feel more pain, and I couldn't serve any more. I couldn't even serve the second serve.''

Kafelnikov's problems during the clay court season continued, with his only wins coming in Davis Cup and when Franco Squillari retired against him in Rome two weeks ago. He swiftly fell behind 4-1, recovered one break in the sixth game, then slumped even further in the second set to give Canas an easy afternoon.

Argentina was the third wild-card nation to reach the final, following Germany in 1994 and 1998, and Croatia in 1995. Argentina replaced Croatia in the draw this year after Goran Ivanisevic was unable to play.