Germany reach final of World Team Cup

DUSSELDORF, May 25 (Reuters) Germany withstood a strong challenge from the Czech Republic today, reaching the final of the World Team Cup with a 2-1 victory to keep on course for a second successive title.

Chile will play Croatia on Friday to determine who will face Germany in the final.

Philipp Kohlschreiber put Germany into the lead and gave the 11,800 sell-out crowd something to cheer on a cold day during which play was interrupted several times by rain, beating Robin Vik 6-3 3-6 6-1.

Although the Czech broke to lead 1-0, Kohlschreiber claimed his opponent's first three service games to lead 5-1, hitting a delicate forehand volley that left him serving for the set.

The German also broke to lead the second set 1-0, but Vik levelled immediately and broke again to lead 4-2 with a forehand volley.

In the final set Kohlschreiber once again took the early initiative, breaking for 2-0 and a further break at 4-1 left him on the verge of victory.

''I played great tennis in the first and third sets but lost track a bit in the second,'' said Kohlschreiber. ''But (team captain) Patrik Kuhnen told me after the second set that things were starting again and I had to stay in there and give everything from the first point.'' Tomas Berdych then emerged from a two hour 29-minute battle against Nicolas Kiefer with a 6-7 6-3 6-3 win.

The Czech's speed around the court, especially in reaching the short ball, played a major part in his victory, but it was only in the final stages that he gained the upper hand.

''It was a great match from both of us and a very high level,'' Kiefer told reporters.

In the doubles, Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske defeated Berdych and Leos Friedl 6-4 6-7 10-5 to clinch the tie.

Argentina beat Italy 2-1 in a tie between two teams that no longer had any chance to reach the final.

Davide Sanguinetti lost 20 consecutive points in the first set on the way to a 6-2 6-0 defeat by Jose Acasuso. Italy's Filippo Volandri defeated David Nalbandian 6-4 7-5, but Argentina went on to win the doubles 7-6 6-1.

Reuters DH RN0143