Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek handed defending champions the Czech Republic a 2-1 lead over the Netherlands after winning the doubles rubber in the Davis Cup first-round tie on Saturday.
On the hardcourt of the CEZ Arena in the eastern city of Ostrava, the Czechs needed three hours and 57 minutes to beat Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer 7-5 1-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4).
Berdych and Stepanek, who led the Czech Republic to Davis Cup titles in 2012 and 2013, have won the 15th of their 16 Davis Cup doubles rubbers together since teaming up in 2007.
But they had to show some of their best skills on Saturday as the Dutch duo were determined to spoil their party.
“This was definitely the hardest rubber we’ve played so far, in all respects,” Berdych said after the game.
“I’m glad we handled it well like this, it was a deserved win at the end of the day.”
Stepanek, the 35-year-old world number 10 in doubles, said the Dutch pair played “above their standard, really an incredible game.”
“We had to deserve the victory and fight hard till the end to get it.”
In the first set, the Czechs capitalised on a single break to win 7-5, but the Dutch duo stole the second in style in just over half an hour, 6-1.
In the tie-break of the third and longest set, a nervous Haase showed his frustration by slamming the racquet violently against the net and the Czechs took advantage to take the set in 69 minutes.
The Czechs won another tie-break in set four, converting a match point when Rojer sent the ball past the base line after a breathtaking exchange with Stepanek at the net.
On Friday, Haase beat Stepanek in five sets, 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-1 and Berdych then swept Igor Sijsling 6-3 6-3 6-0.
In Sunday’s reverse singles, Berdych will face Haase and Stepanek is due to take on Sijsling.
Eyeing a Davis Cup hat-trick, the Czech Republic have won their last nine Davis Cup ties in a row.
The Netherlands are playing their first World Group tie since 2009, with their last World Group win dating back to 2005.