Berdych prevails over Monaco to give Czechs 1-0 lead over Argentina in Davis Cup quarterfinal

Czech Republic leads Argentina 1-0 in Davis Cup

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Tomas Berdych has outlasted Juan Monaco 6-4, 2-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to give the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead over Argentina in their best-of-five Davis Cup quarterfinals series.

The 20th-ranked Berdych struggled with his serve in the first set on Friday, but broke his 62nd-ranked opponent three times to win it on the indoor hard court at CEZ Arena.

Monaco fought back in the second, breaking Berdych twice to get back into the match and went on to take the third with Berdych double-faulting to give away a break.

Berdych improved his serve in the remaining two sets to prevail.

Argentina’s fifth-ranked Juan Martin del Potro will take on Ivo Minar in the second singles match Friday.