Czechs advance to Davis Cup semis

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, July 12 (UPI) -- Radek Stepanek scored a straight-set victory over Juan Monaco Sunday, giving the Czech Republic a 3-2 win over Argentina in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

The Czech team will play Croatia in the semifinals in September. The Croats advanced by eliminating the United States.

Stepanek downed Monaco 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-2 in the decisive match after Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro defeated Tomas Berdycha 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, tying the best-of-five competition at Ostrava, Czech Republic, at two wins apiece.

The Czechs advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1996.