Porec (Croatia), July 13 (DPA) Croatia will line up in the Davis Cup World Group semi-finals against the Czech Republic after chasing the 32 times champions United States out of the competition with a 3-1 scoreline.

Marin Cilic gave the Croats the winning point beating James Blake 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, on an indoor clay court here Sunday.

Radek Stepanek, who suffered an injury at Wimbledon, ensured the Czech advance, completing a 3-2 victory over Argentina, defeating Juan Monaco 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-2.

World number five Juan Del Potro had kept the visitors alive, his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Tomas Berdych knotting the tie 2-2.

The second semi-final Sep 18-20 will pit underdogs Israel against Spain after Juan Carlos Ferrero rescued the defending champions in Marbella.

In Tel Aviv, the Israelis finished off a dream weekend to reach a first-ever semi-final, defeating two-time champions Russia, 4-1.

Harel Levy completed the 4-1 home result, beating Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) after Israeli Dudi Sela was forced to retire trailing Igor Andreev 4-3.

Ferrero, 29, has been storming through a comeback this season, winning a clay title in Casablanca three months ago to end a five-year title drought and reaching a Wimbledon quarter-final against Andy Murray.