JOIN USCroatia, Serbia, Austria and France sealed places in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Sunday after converting 2-1 overnight leads into winning margins.
While Croatia and Serbia can boast recent triumphs in the team competition, Austria were celebrating a berth in the last eight for the first time in 17 years after Jurgen Melzer secured victory over Russia in Wiener Neustadt.
Ivo Karlovic ended Japan’s hopes in Hyogo when he beat Go Soeda in the deciding fifth rubber after Kei Nishikori had dragged his side level.
Serbia eased to a 4-1 win over Sweden.
Fourth seeded France overcame Canada 4-1 after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga seized an unassailable 3-1 lead when he beat Frank Dancevic 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 in the first of the reverse singles. Gael Monfils completed the win with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Vasek Pospisil in the dead rubber.
Melzer guaranteed Austria an away clash against Spain after finishing off an injury-hit Russia with an emphatic victory against Florida-based Davis Cup rookie Alex Bogomolov.
The Austrian number one needed less than two hours to win the first reverse singles 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.
Results: In Bamberg: Germany lt to Argentina 1-4 (Cedrik-Marcel Stebe bt Eduardo Schwank 7-6 (7-1), 7-5).
In Ostrava: Czech Republic bt Italy 4-1 (Frantisek Cermak lt to Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-4).