OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Defending Davis Cup champion Czech Republic took a 2-1 lead in its opening-round series with the Netherlands.
The Czech doubles team of Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek held off Dutchmen Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer Saturday 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4) to snap the 1-1 tie forged Friday in singles play.
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The Netherlands duo saved three consecutive breaks at 5-5 of the fourth set, but the Czechs prevailed in the tie-break to win the match.
The victory means the Czechs can win the series Sunday by winning one of the two scheduled singles tilts. Berdych is penciled in to face Haase while Stepanek will play Igor Sijsling.
