Germany, Czechs Win, U.S. Next at ATP World Team Cup

The doubles matches decided both ties Tuesday at the World Team Cup in Dusseldorf, with Germany edging Argentina 2-1 and the Czech Republic improving to 2-0 in round robin play with a 2-1 win over Italy.

Argentina took an early lead with Jose Acasuso edging Alexander Waske 7-6 in the third before Nicolas Kiefer put the tie at 1-1 with a straight-set win over struggling former French Open champ Gaston Gaudio. The Germans then clinched when Michael Kohlmann/Waske defeated David Nalbandian/Sebastien Prieto in straight sets.

"I'm struggling with my tennis. Definitely I'm playing the worst tennis ever," Gaudio said after the loss. "The opponent doesn't matter, I'm playing so bad. This will of course affect my confidence. It's the worst situation getting to the French Open and playing like this."

The Czechs jumped to an early lead when Tomas Berdych thumped Italian Filippo Volandri 6-1, 6-4 before Davide Sanguinetti evened the tie with a three-set win over Robin Vik. Berdych and Leos Friedl then clinched the tie with a 6-2, 6-1 pounding of Sanguinetti/Volandri.

The win for Germany will set them up for a decider on Thursday against the Czechs to see who advances to the final from their group.

Wednesday the U.S. tries to keep it's hopes alive against Chile with Andy Roddick against Nicolas Massu and Robby Ginepri against Paul Capdeville, while Spain desperately needs a win against Croatia with David Ferrer facing Ivan Ljubicic, and Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez against Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic.