Czechs near finals berth in World Team Cup

Tomas Berdych captured a three-set win Thursday that moved the Czech Republic within one victory of capturing its group in the World Team Cup. Berdych defeated Carlos Berlocq 6-1, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3 in the first of the three matches between players from the Czech Republic and Argentina that will determine the winner of the Red Group. Both countries have won their previous two matchups in the round-robin phase of the tournament. A win Friday by Radek Stepanek over Argentina's Leonardo Mayer will send the Czech Republic into the finals. If Mayer defeats Stepanek, the group winner will be determined in a doubles match.Either Serbia or Germany will capture the Blue Group Friday. The United States, which is already eliminated from championship contention, won its first match in eight attempts Thursday when Ryan Harrison defeated Japan's Tatsuma Ito 6-2, 7-6 (7-5). Andy Roddick remained winless for the week when he was defeated by Go Soeda 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).