BUENOS AIRES, Sept 15 (Reuters) – Czech Republic’s path to the Davis Cup final was wide open after they won the doubles on Saturday and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro pulled out of the reverse singles.

World number eight Del Potro almost withdrew from the semi-final at Parque Roca earlier this week due to pain in his right wrist.

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 14 (Reuters) – World number six Tomas Berdych fought back to beat Juan Monaco 6-1 4-6 1-6 6-4 6-4 in a thriller to put Czech Republic level at 1-1 with Argentina in their Davis Cup semi-final on Friday.

The Argentines, aiming to reach a second straight final and fourth since 2006, won the opening singles at Parque Roca with Juan Martin del Potro’s 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory over Radek Stepanek.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – A tearful Juan Martin del Potro could barely speak in an emotional courtside interview after beating Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-4 6-2 to put Argentina 1-0 up against Czech Republic in their Davis Cup semi-final on Friday.

Del Potro, torn between what is best for his career and his desire to play for his country, had considered pulling out of the tie at Parque Roca because of pains in his left wrist but he managed to hold out for the win.

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 14 (Reuters) – A tearful Juan Martin del
Potro could barely speak in an emotional courtside interview
after beating Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-4 6-2 to put Argentina 1-0 up
against Czech Republic in their Davis Cup semi-final on Friday.

Del Potro, torn between what is best for his career and his
desire to play for his country, had considered pulling out of
the tie at Parque Roca because of pains in his left wrist but he
managed to hold out for the win.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Lionel Messi’s recent goal spree came to an abrupt halt in Argentina’s uninspiring 1-1 draw against Peru as Colombia came out on top in the latest round of South American World Cup qualifiers that concluded on Tuesday.

Argentina lead the nine-nation group ahead of Colombia and Ecuador but only three points separate the top six teams with the series set to reach its halfway mark next month.

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi’s recent goal
spree came to an abrupt halt in Argentina’s uninspiring 1-1 draw
against Peru as Colombia came out on top in the latest round of
South American World Cup qualifiers that concluded on Tuesday.

Argentina lead the nine-nation group ahead of Colombia and
Ecuador but only three points separate the top six teams with
the series set to reach its halfway mark next month.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Peru’s mission to stall Lionel Messi and the Argentine juggernaut at home in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday may see the team seek inspiration from a famous victory over their South American rivals in Lima 27 years ago.

In 1985, Luis Reyna’s tight marking of Diego Maradona was key to an upset 1-0 win over Argentina, and Peru will ponder a similar stopping job against another diminutive and sublimely gifted forward in Messi at the Estadio Nacional in Lima (0125 GMT Wednesday).

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 10 (Reuters) – Peru’s mission to stall
Lionel Messi and the Argentine juggernaut at home in their World
Cup qualifier on Tuesday may see the team seek inspiration from
a famous victory over their South American rivals in Lima 27
years ago.

In 1985, Luis Reyna’s tight marking of Diego Maradona was
key to an upset 1-0 win over Argentina, and Peru will ponder a
similar stopping job against another diminutive and sublimely
gifted forward in Messi at the Estadio Nacional in Lima (0125
GMT Wednesday).

CORDOBA, Argentina, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi was
almost unstoppable again as Argentina posted their sixth victory
in a row, swatting Paraguay aside 3-1 to take the lead in South
America’s World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

Argentina, among the favourites to win the 2014 World Cup in
Brazil, took over from Uruguay as the team to beat in the
qualifying campaign.

CORDOBA, Argentina, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi’s
Argentina brushed aside Paraguay 3-1 to go top of the South
American 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the Mario Kempes stadium
on Friday.

Goals from Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Messi, with a
brilliant free kick, gave Argentina their first home win over
Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier in 39 years and sixth victory
in a row including friendlies.