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The Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek produced an inspired performance to dump Argentina out of the Davis Cup in the quarter-finals following a 7-6 6-3 6-2 win over Juan Monaco.

Argentine world number five Juan Martin del Potro had ensured the contest would go down to the wire by beating Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the first reverse singles to level the tie at 2-2.

With so much at stake on the final match, Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil opted to replace Ivo Minar in the final match with Stepanek even though the world number 21 has been struggling with a knee problem.

Stepanek, who missed Friday's singles rubber due to the injury, repaid his captain's faith by easily outwitting Monaco to condemn the 2008 runners-up to an early exit.

"It is unbelievable," Stepanek said after receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

"I did not have energy to spare and tried to collect one point after another."

The Czechs will face Croatia, who beat the United States, in the semi-finals in September.

Del Potro ensured Argentina stayed in the hunt as he eased past Berdych on Sunday. Despite winning both of his singles matches, Del Potro's team mates failed to back him up.

"Today I did everything. I did very good serves and returns and I was feeling very well," Del Potro said.

Berdych, who broke Del Potro's serve only once, praised his opponent.

"I really expected a very difficult match," Berdych said. "I wanted to try something and break his rhythm but I did not make it. He played an outstanding game."

The Czechs, beaten 5-0 by Argentina in their previous encounter in 2005, last reached the semis in 1996 and won their only Davis Cup title in 1980 when they were still part of Czechoslovakia.

Reuters