OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 today to give the Czech Republic a 2-1 lead over France in Davis Cup play.

The Czechs replaced the doubles team of Jan Hernych and Lukas Dlouhy, opting to use their singles players.

"The doubles result is crucial in Davis Cup," Berdych said. "We played an excellent game."

The win puts the Czechs one win away from the Davis Cup quarterfinals. On Sunday in reverse singles, Stepanek will face Gilles Simon and Berdych takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The Czech pair maintained a perfect 3-0 Davis Cup record following wins against Switzerland and Belgium.