BREE, Belgium (AP) — The Czech Republic advanced to the Davis Cup quarterfinals after Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek beat Olivier Rochus and Steve Darcis of Belgium 7-6 (0), 6-0, 6-3 to gain an insurmountable 3-0 lead.
The Czechs switched from their original choice of inexperienced pair Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hajek for the doubles on Saturday. Berdych and Stepanek had won their first five Davis Cup matches together until losing to Spain in last year’s final.
In singles play Friday, Berdych defeated Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 before Stepanek downed Xavier Malisse 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (3).
The Czechs will meet either Chile or Israel in the quarterfinals in July.
