Croatia, Five Others Advance

Defending champion Croatia was one of six countries that advanced to the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup on Saturday by winning doubles matches for unbeatable 3-0 leads.

Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic beat Austria’s Jurgen Melzer and Julian Knowle, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6, in Graz, Austria.

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In Amsterdam, Russia eliminated the Netherlands when Igor Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny beat Raemon Sluiter and John Van Lottum, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

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In Minsk, Belarus’ Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov defeated Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 7-5, to eliminate Spain.

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In Halle, Germany, France ousted Germany as Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement beat Alexander Waske and Tommy Haas, 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.

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Elsewhere, Argentina’s David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri beat Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman and Simon Aspelin, 6-2, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4, in Buenos Aires. ... In Rancagua, Chile, Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez beat Slovakia’s Michal Mertinak and Lukas Lacko, 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. ... In Geneva, Australia took a 2-1 lead over Switzerland behind Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley.