Czechs take 2-1 lead over Argentina in Davis Cup

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (Reuters) - Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek handed the Czech Republic a 2-1 lead over 2008 runners-up Argentina in their Davis Cup quarter-final tie on Saturday.

After Friday's opening singles ended 1-1, the Czechs revised their doubles nominations and opted for Berdych to team up with Stepanek in place of doubles expert Lukas Dlouhy.

The gamble paid off as they beat Jose Acasuso and Leonardo Mayer 6-1 6-4 6-3 and the hosts now need to win only one of Sunday's two reverse singles to book a semi-final place against Croatia or the United States.

Argentina also made a change, calling in the experienced Acasuso instead of world number five Juan Martin Del Potro to keep him fresh for Sunday's singles rubber against Berdych.

"We were very surprised that they did not keep Del Potro, who played a fantastic match yesterday and had been serving incredibly well," Stepanek said.

"We had it under control from the start to the end."

The Argentine duo argued with the umpire several times over his decisions to over rule line judges. Frustrated Davis Cup newcomer Mayer even destroyed his racket after losing his serve in the third set to give the Czechs a 4-2 lead.

World number 20 Berdych overcame Juan Monaco 6-4 2-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 in a tough opening match, while Del Potro stifled Ivo Minar 6-1 6-3 6-3 on Friday.

Stepanek, who skipped the opening singles due to a knee problem, said he could replace Minar for Sunday's final rubber against Monaco provided he has regained full fitness.

Three times runners-up Argentina are trying to reach their sixth semi-final since 2002, after whitewashing the Netherlands 5-0 in the first round.

The Czechs, who lost by the same margin to Argentina in their last encounter in 2005, won their only Davis Cup title in 1980 when they were still part of Czechoslovakia.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)