Czech Republic, Spain tied 1-1 in Davis Cup

PRAGUE (AP) - Tomas Berdych beat Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to give the Czech Republic a 1-1 tie with Spain after the opening singles matches Friday in the Davis Cup final.

Earlier, David Ferrer opened Spain's bid for its fourth Davis Cup title in five years with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Radek Stepanek. The fifth-ranked Ferrer has won a tour-best seven titles this season.

The sixth-ranked Berdych remained undefeated in Davis Cup play this season, handing Almagro his first loss in the competition this year. In the final set, Berdych allowed the big-hitting Almagro to rally with a break in the seventh game before breaking him again in the eighth with a backhand winner that hit the side line.