Radek's Fast Turnaround Gives Czechs Lead; Argentina Edges Croatia In Epic Doubles

© Getty ImagesEduardo Schwank and David Nalbandian prevailed in just under five hours to edge Croatia in the doubles rubber.

A round-up of the two Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group quarter-final ties on Saturday.

CZECH REPUBLIC 2, SERBIA 1
Clay, Indoors - Prague, Czech Republic

Radek Stepanek endured a five-hour, seven-minute defeat to Janko Tipsarevic on the opening day’s play in Prague, but demonstrated the depths of his endurance to return Saturday and partner Tomas Berdych to a crucial victory in the doubles rubber. The Czech duo, defeated Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(4) to give the host nation a 2-1 lead over 2010 champion Serbia.

Afterwards, Stepanek commented, "We are happy that we made a point today in the doubles because we were surprised by the Serbian team nomination. We tried to take advantage, we closed it in three sets, and we are happy for that. I didn't recover too well (from Friday); I felt really tired. But we've been able to get through it and we are happy."

Berdych and Stepanek have now won five Davis Cup rubbers together in a row. They converted five of 13 break points and hit 42 winners to 27 unforced errors for victory in two hours and 23 minutes. Berdych will have the chance to win the tie for the Czech Republic, and set a semi-final clash with either Croatia or Argentina, when he faces Tipsarevic in the first of the reverse singles rubbers on Sunday.

ARGENTINA 2, CROATIA 1
Clay, Outdoors - Buenos Aires, Argentina

After suffering a five-set defeat to Marin Cilic on Friday, David Nalbandian bounced back Saturday as he teamed with Eduardo Schwank to defeat Croatia’s Cilic and Ivo Karlovic 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-7(6), 8-6 in four hours and 59 minutes. Victory for the Argentine duo gave the host nation a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup quarter-final tie, being played on clay in Buenos Aires.

Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro will have the chance to clinch the tie when he faces Cilic in the first of the reverse singles rubbers on Sunday. Four-time runner-up Argentina boasts a strong home record on clay in the ITF men’s team competition, having not lost a tie in those circumstances since 1998 against Slovak Republic.

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