Berdych limps off to hand Russia Davis Cup win

Russia reached the Davis Cup semi-finals yesterday after Czech number one Tomas Berdych injured his ankle and was forced to quit midway through the fifth set of his tussle against Nikolay Davydenko.

Russia had led the tie 2-1 going into yesterday's reverse singles and Berdych's misfortune allowed the hosts to seal the winning point and a place in the last four for a fourth successive year.

They will face either Argentina in September.

World number nine Berdych fell when he lunged for a forehand baseline shot on a break point against Davydenko's serve in the fourth game of the fifth set.

The 22-year-old's face contorted in pain and agony as he slumped to the floor.

A physio strapped Berdych's ankle but eventually he limped off, dashing the Czech Republic's hopes of an upset victory over Russia, who have not lost at home since 1995, and handing Davydenko a 6-3 2-6 6-7 6-3 1-2 victory.

Berdych left the stadium shortly after the match to head back to the Czech Republic for checks on his ankle.

"I really felt I had a chance today, especially here in Russia," he said in a recorded message to the media.

"I couldn't even walk. If I move my leg, it's not good at all."

Berdych had never beaten Davydenko in six previous meetings but yesterday, he looked like he could at last snap the losing run.

In front of a loud partisan crowd at a Soviet era sports complex built on the banks of the River Moskva, Berdych pushed Davydenko to his limits during a match in which the momentum swung between the two players.

Berdych injured his ankle just as Davydenko's serve looked increasingly vulnerable.

In all, Davydenko served five double faults compared to Berdych's one, but the Russian was beginning to hit his returns with his trademark pace and accuracy.

Czech Lukas Dlouhy earned a consolation 6-3 6-3 win over Marat Safin in the final dead rubber.

The teams had split Friday's singles when Safin beat Berdych, before Radek Stepanek drew the tie level with a three-set win over Igor Andreev. On Saturday, Davydenko and Andreev beat Stepanek and Pavel Vizner in the doubles.

Quarter-finals (latest): US lead France 3-1; Germany lost to Spain 1-4; Russia bt Czech Rep. 3-2; Argentina lead Sweden 3-1.

Amelia Island Championships final (women): Sharapova bt Cibulkova 7-6 6-3.