Davis Cup QF: Czechs, Argentines Knotted at 1

ARGENTINA @ CZECH REPUBLIC (TIED 1-1)
CEZ Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic (Indoor Hard)

Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-4, 2-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) def. Ivo Minar (CZE)

Things went largely as expected on Day 1 in Ostrava. Tomas Berdych, never one to make things easy on himself, won in five sets over the always dangerous Juan Monaco. The indoor conditions kept Berdych's serve lethal while Monaco's defensive game eventually was worn out, probably due to a lack of recent matches.

Juan Martin del Potro had a considerably easier time against Ivo Minar in leveling the tie for the Argentines. In his first match since a disappointing second round loss at Wimbledon to Lleyton Hewitt, JMdP never looked out of complete control.

del Potro is the highest ranked player participating in this weekend's Davis Cup action, and he lived up to that distinction today, looking far stronger than any of the fifteen other players who took court for their country on Friday. He's got a truckload of points to defend in the coming month, as he defends the four consecutive titles he won in July and August of 2008. Based on today, he certainly looks to be in decent shape to make a run at keeping at least a couple of those trophies in his posession.

Based on their form on the first day, it seems clear that Argentina would sweep the reverse singles should the participants remain the same. del Potro was much stronger than Berdych, and Monaco much sharper than Minar. The wild card in this tie, as I mentioned in the preview, is Radek Stepanek and his knee. If he is well enough to muster a win in the doubles on Saturday and play in Minar's spot on Sunday, the Czechs may have a chance to make it to the semifinals. If not, fuggedaboutit.