Four-time runners-up Argentina lost their doubles clash as well as Juan Martin Del Potro against the Czech Republic while the United States stayed alive in their Davis Cup semi-final against champions Spain.
Argentina’s hopes of making the final suffered a double blow when they slipped 2-1 down to the Czechs and then lost Del Potro through injury.
Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek eased past Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 at a shell-shocked Parque Roca to take their Davis Cup record to 11-1.
World number eight Del Potro withdrew from Sunday’s reverse singles with a wrist injury.
He will be replaced by world number 45 Berlocq in the clash against US Open semi-finalist Berdych, the sixth-ranked player, before Juan Monaco is scheduled to tackle Stepanek.
Bob and Mike Bryan beat Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 on the clay courts of Gijon as the US cut the deficit to 2-1 against Spain.AFP
