ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) — Yuriy Schukin and Andrey Golubev beat Radek Stepanek and Jan Hajek 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-3 in doubles Saturday to cut the Czech Republic’s lead against Kazakhstan in the Davis cup quarterfinals to 2-1.
After rallying from a break down to win the first set, the Kazakh pair broke decisively in the ninth game of the second. They then won the next three games to take a 2-0 lead in the third set.
Schukin and Golubev closed it out on their first match point, breaking Stepanek’s serve.
The defending champion Czechs took a 2-0 lead Friday after Hajek and Lukas Rosol won their opening singles matches.
The reverse singles will be held Sunday.