Argentina and USA were both dumped out of the Davis Cup at the quarter-final stage as the minnows continued to surprise.

Last year's beaten finalists Argentina bowed out 3-2 to the Czech Republic, losing in the fifth and final rubber, while the USA - winners in 2007 - went down in four rubbers to Croatia.

The results came just a day after Israel had beaten 2006 champions Russia to reach the last four for the first time in their history.

The Argentines managed to force a deciding rubber in Ostrava, but the Czechs called Radek Stepanek in to face Juan Monaco and he delivered with a straight-sets win.

Stepanek, who missed Friday's singles to rest a knee problem but starred in Saturday's doubles triumph, claimed a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 6-2 win to spark celebrations on the CEZ Arena.

Juan Martin Del Potro had earlier kept Argentina's hopes alive with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat of Tomas Berdych.

The Czechs will now travel to meet Croatia September's semis.

The Croatians, leading 2-1 going into the final day in Porec, clinched victory when Marin Cilic beat James Blake 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-2.

Blake threatened a comeback when he recovered from a break down in the third set to push the contest further, but Cilic responded well and hit back to seal the win.

On the other side of the draw, Israel will face either Spain or Germany.

They are into a deciding rubber after Philipp Kohlschreiber levelled the tie a 2-2 with a five-set win over Fernando Verdasco.

The in-form Kohlschreiber raced into two-set lead but his game collapsed in the third and fourth sets.

Verdasco appeared the favourite heading into the decider but Kohlschreiber steeled himself to seal a 6-4 6-2 1-6 2-6 8-6 victory.

Juan Carlos Ferrero will now play Andreas Beck to decide the tie.

Israel and Russia split Sunday's dead rubbers in Tel Aviv, the Russians getting on the board in the tie when Dudi Sela quit his clash with Igor Andreev and Harel Levy then beating Igor Kunitsyn to make the final score 4-1.