Defending champions France were pushed to the wire by the Czech Republic before nudging into the Davis Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

Guy Forget's men were ailing in Pau, and when Bohdan Ulihrach levelled the deciding rubber against Fabrice Santoro it looked to be the Czechs with the psychological advantage.

Earlier, Jiri Novak levelled the match at 2-2 by beating Sebastien Grosjean in four sets.

He came through 3-6 6-1 6-3 6-1, taking advantage of the leg injury suffered by his opponent in the second set.

Santoro did not disappoint the Pau crowd, but Ulihrach put on a brave performance.

After two tight opening sets, both won by Santoro, the Czech reduced the deficit to 2-1 and forced the Frenchman to serve to stay in the fourth set at 5-4 down.

Up against it, Santoro dropped his serve to 15 and the rubber was level.

It meant the result of the tie depended on the final set, and Ulihrach was the man with the momentum.

The pair exchanged breaks early on, and the backing of the partisan crowd spurred Santoro on to another break.

Ulihrach conceded his serve again, when bidding to stay in the match at 5-3 down, to his frustration and the elation of Guy Forget's team.

It gave Santoro a 7-6 (7/2) 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-3 win after four hours and 15 minutes.

Next up, in the semi-finals, will be even stronger opposition. The USA stand in France's way now, with Pete Sampras and Andy Roddick likely to lead them into action.