Del Potro routes Minar to draw Argentina even with Czech Republic in Davis Cup quarters

Czech Republic, Argentina tied at 1-1 in Davis Cup

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Juan Martin del Potro outclassed Ivo Minar 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 and Argentina draw even with the Czech Republic after the opening singles in their best-of-five Davis Cup quarterfinal on Friday.

In the first match, Tomas Berdych overcame Juan Monaco 6-4, 2-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 on the indoor hard court at CEZ Arena.

Del Potro, the world No. 5, took charge early by breaking Minar’s first service game and committed just two unforced errors in the set.

Minar improved in the second, but the Argentine added two more breaks.

In the last set, del Potro served out the match with a powerful forehand winner on his third match point.

“My serve was very good,” said del Potro, who improved to 5-2 in Davis Cup singles. “That was the key.”

He served 12 aces.

It was only the second Davis Cup match for 64th-ranked Minar, who made his debut two years ago.

Minar replaced Radek Stepanek, who injured his ankle in the fourth round of Wimbledon but was expected to play the doubles.

“I had nothing to lose,” Minar said. “But I made too many mistakes at early stages.”

Berdych, ranked 20th, struggled with his serve but prevailed in 3 hours, 27 minutes.

“I had problems with my first serve, that was the biggest problem,” Berdych said.

Lukas Dlouhy, who won the men’s doubles at the French Open with Leander Paes last month, was set to team up with Stepanek in Saturday’s doubles to face del Potro and Leonardo Mayer.

The reverse singles on Sunday tentatively pit Berdych against del Potro and Minar against Monaco.