The 44th world-ranked Robin Söderling took part in both winning rubbers, first beating 16th-ranked Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-1 before teaming up with Robert Lindstedt to beat Mikhail Youzhny and Dimitry Tursunov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 11-9 in the deciding doubles.
They saved a match-point in the final set of the crucial doubles.
In the other singles match, Igor Andreev saw off Thomas Johansson 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 but it did not stop Russia falling to their fourth losing final after 2000, 2001 and 2002.
“It was close. We saved a match point. It was a really big tie-break. I’ve never been this nervous in my whole life and maybe never been this glad in my whole life either. It’s a great feeling,” said Söderling.
“It’s a great week to peak. It gives me a lot of confidence for next week in Paris (the French Open starts on Sunday). Hopefully I can continue to play well and hopefully I can win a couple of matches in Paris.”
Youzhny said: “It was a very close match. We are upset for having lost in the final once again.
“But I’m sure we will back maybe next year to finally win the cup.”