French, Czechs split at Davis Cup tennis

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, March 6 (UPI) -- France and the Czech Republic split two singles matches Friday during their first-round Davis Cup tennis battle in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Tomas Berdych gave the Czechs a 1-0 lead by winning the day's first match, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, against Gilles Simon.

In the nightcap, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga helped France draw even by beating Radek Stepanek, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).

Tsonga won 88 percent of first serve points to 68 percent for Stepanek, and also won 60 percent of second serve points to 48 percent for his opponent.

Earlier, Berdych overcame 61 unforced errors by converting 5-of-13 break point chances and winning both tiebreakers. The 23-year-old Berdych improved his Davis Cup singles record to 11-6.

In Saturday's doubles, the Czech team of Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hernych face the French duo of Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra, while Sunday's reverse singles pit Simon against Stepanek and Tsonga plays Berdych.

The eventual winner faces the Argentina-Netherlands victor in the quarterfinals in July.