PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- The Czech Republic took a commanding 2-0 lead over Argentina in the Davis Cup semifinals Friday after Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych won the opening singles matches to put the defending champion one win away from a third final in five years. Stepanek overcame a sluggish start to put the Czechs up 1-0 by sweeping aside Juan Monaco 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-2 before the fifth-ranked Berdych survived a second set wobble to stretch the margin with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over hard-hitting Leonardo Mayer. With their formidable 12-1 record in Davis Cup doubles, Berdych and Stepanek have a chance to wrap up the series Saturday against Carlos Berlocq and Horacio Zeballos. "We are 2-0 up, thats what we wanted. Now, the most important thing is to get ready for the doubles," Berdych said. It was a hard-fought victory for Berdych, who looked relieved after he edged his 93rd-ranked opponent in more than three hours. "Im grateful for the result. The first two sets were not ideal from me," he said. He had to save a break point before converting his second match point when Mayer hit a forehand wide. "He had a great start, his game was perfect and he made no mistakes. He was aggressive and took a risk," Berdych said. Berdych had a total of 40 winners, only four more than Mayer, and made 39 unforced errors to Mayers 41. "I tried to attack as much as I could. He was better," Mayer said. In the first set, Berdych sent a forehand long to lose his serve in the seventh game as Mayer before the Czech came back and won the next three games. Mayer took a 4-2 lead in the second set before wasting a break point that would have had him serving for the set with a 5-2 lead. Struggling with his major weapon, Berdych put only 47 per cent of his first serves into play in the second set and was broken again in the ninth game before Mayer served the set out at love. With his serve improved, Berdych took a 3-0 lead in the third set. In his first cup singles this year and just days after his second Grand Slam doubles title at the U.S. Open on Sunday, Stepanek played in his typical attacking style, serving 13 aces and hitting 38 winners on a fast indoor hard court at O2 Arena. "I was trying to be active," Stepanek said. "It was an important match for me. I faced a great opponent, but I wanted to use to my favour the surface and the fans." Stepanek converted his first match point to improve to 5-2 against Monaco. Stepanek also beat Monaco with the same set figures to clinch the 2009 Davis Cup quarterfinal for the Czechs, also at home on a fast court in Ostrava. "Its just coincidence," he said. "But I think I was the better player in those two matches." Seeking its first title, Argentina is without its star player Juan Martin del Potro who skipped the Davis Cup this season. Stepanek is a key player on the Czech team but missed the first-round victory at Switzerland because of a neck operation and was able to play only the doubles in the 3-1 quarterfinal win at Kazakhstan. He and Berdych played all five matches in last years final in Prague and beat Spain 3-2. Stepanek could not find his rhythm at the beginning of the first set and was frustrated at the net by Monacos precise passing shots. The Argentine took advantage of his first break point to go 3-1 up but allowed Stepanek to get back into the set with a double-fault on break point in the following game. "He played so much better than me. I had my chances in the first set but couldnt make it. He impressed me," Monaco said. Stepanek wasted a chance to serve out the first set after Monaco sent an overhead long to go 6-5 down but dominated the following tiebreaker with his volley play. The Czech improved his game in the second, jumping 3-0 up. Monaco still fought back before double-faulting to present Stepanek a chance to serve out the set at 5-3. "I tried to serve little bit faster," Monaco said. The winner of the best-of-five series faces Serbia or Canada in the final in November. Basketball Shoes From China . They find themselves trying to knock each other out in the Western Conference finals for the second straight year. The Blackhawks prevailed last year on their way to the Stanley Cup, and they have the early lead this time after taking the opener, 3-1. Basketball Shoes Online Store . -- Kyle Busch edged teammate Joey Logano at the Bristol Motor Speedway finish line Friday night to become the all-time winningest driver in Nationwide Series. https://www.cheapbasketballshoesstore.com/. Louis Cardinals are one of Major League Baseballs model franchises. Cheap Basketball Shoes China . Didnt need any help this time. Wood beat Cincinnati for the first time in his career, repeatedly pitching out of threats for seven innings, and Chicago stalled the Reds week-long surge with a 2-0 victory Monday night. Basketball Shoes 2020 . Simon (10-3) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1-3 innings to break a tie with the Dodgers Zack Greinke and Cardinals Adam Wainwright for the NL lead in victories. Simon went to spring training as a relief pitcher and moved into the starting rotation when Mat Latos was recovering from elbow and knee surgeries.LONDON -- Matt Cassel will get a chance to steer the Minnesota Vikings to their first win of the season -- and maybe put himself in position for a more regular role. Cassel will replace injured starter Christian Ponder at quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Wembley Stadium. The Vikings (0-3) ruled out Ponder on Friday with a fractured rib sustained in last weekends 31-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns. "We worked with Matt in the mindset that this was a possibility, so I think were prepared in that way," coach Leslie Frazier said. "Hes been in this role before. His veteran presence -- you can feel it. So there was no shock this week as he got more and more reps. I think (the team) will handle it the right way." Cassel hasnt played a down this season since signing a two-year deal with the Vikings in the off-season. The former New England Patriot threw six touchdowns and 12 interceptions in nine games for the 2-14 Chiefs last season. "Ive been preparing for this and I feel like Im ready to go," Cassel said. "I feel comfortable with this offence. Im excited about it. Thats what you prepare for as a backup." Frazier is hoping Cassel will go out at Wembley and make a statement. "Im hoping that he shines, but I dont foresee a quarterback controversy," Frazier said. "We want him to play lights out and have the best game of his NFL career on Sunday." If Cassel does shine, it could leave Frazier with a decision on who to start against the Carolina Panthers on Oct.dddddddddddd 13 after the bye week. Ponder, a third-year pro, has struggled this season, throwing two touchdowns and five interceptions for a 65.9 passer rating. He also has lost two fumbles. Ponder had taken the majority of snaps in practice Thursday and looked determined to play Sunday. "We just felt like it was, from a medical standpoint, too risky to put him out there to take a hit," Frazier said. "Hes a tough guy but it probably wouldnt be wise to put him out in that situation." "Hes a competitive guy and hes played through some tough injuries here. He wanted to play," Frazier said. "This is something you dont know how many times youll get a chance to play in a game like this, but its probably wise since we have a bye coming up, so he understands." Also ruled out for the Vikings are cornerback Chris Cook (groin), safety Jamarca Sanford (hamstring), and tight end Rhett Ellison (knee). The rest of the players on the Vikings injury report all practiced in full Friday and are probable for Sundays game. They are running back Matt Asiata (hamstring), cornerback A.J. Jefferson (ankle), defensive tackle Kevin Williams (knee), linebacker Erin Henderson (heel), and long snapper Cullen Loeffler (neck). The Vikings and Steelers are both 0-3 heading into the NFL International Series match at Wembley Stadium. ' ' '