Davis Doubles: Czechs beat Argentina 2-1

The Czech Republic won the doubles Saturday to take a 2-1 lead over Argentina in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Jose Acasuso and Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 on the indoor hard court at CEZ Arena to put Czechs one win away from their first semifinal since 1996. Argentina, last year’s runner-up, needs to sweep Sunday’s reverse singles to advance to its sixth semis in the last eight years.

The Czech pair improved to 4-0 in Davis Cup play following previous wins against Switzerland, Belgium and France. Berdych is 7-0 in Davis Cup doubles overall, while Stepanek 6-1.

Argentina captain Tito Vazquez made a late change to use Acasuso instead of Juan Martin del Potro, who was originally set to make his debut in Davis Cup doubles.

Sunday’s reverse singles are set to pit Berdych against del Potro and Ivo Minar against Juan Monaco.

The winner of the best-of-five tie will face the United States or Croatia in the Sept. 18-20 semis.