Czech wrest control

The visitors were given a head start when Ivo Manor beat Nicolas Massu 6-0, 6-2, 6-3. Jan Hajek then clinched the second singles easily, posting a thumping 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 win over Paul Capdeville.

Results:  At Clermont-Ferrand: France lead Spain 1-0 (Gael Monfils bt David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4).

At Split: Croatia level Serbia 1-1 (Ivan Ljubicic lt to Novak Djokovic 6-7 (3-7), 4-6, 1-6; Marin Cilic bt Viktor Troicki 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.

At Moscow: Russia level Argentina 1-1 (Nikolay Davydenko lt to David Nalbandian 4-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (6-8); Mikhail Youzhny bt Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 6-1, 6-4).

At Coquimbo: Chile trail Czech Republic 0-2 (Nicolas Massu lost to Ivo Minar 0-6, 2-6, 3-6; Paul Capdeville lost to Jan Hajek 0-6, 2-6, 1-6).