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LONDON - The Czech Republic became the first team to reach the Davis Cup semifinals Saturday, while heavily favoured Switzerland had another disappointing loss in the doubles and France kept alive its quarterfinal against Germany. Air Max 270 React Bauhaus . The defending champion Czechs clinched an unassailable 3-0 lead over Japan after Radek Stepanek and Lukas Rosol comfortably beat Tatsuma Ito and Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles. Thats the only quarterfinal that has gone according to script so far, as Switzerland and France both find themselves down 2-1 going into the reverse singles on Sunday. Many expected Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka to have wrapped up Switzerlands best-of-five series against Kazakhstan by now as well, but the former Olympic doubles champions were beaten 6-4, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (6) by Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov. That came after Wawrinka lost his singles match to Golubev on Saturday, meaning theres no more room for mistakes for the heavily favoured Swiss. "Im actually very excited for tomorrow," Federer said. "We are still the favourites for each singles match tomorrow, but with no more margin for error and were aware of that." Germany entered its quarterfinal without its top three players, but Tobias Kamke and Peter Gojowczyk surprisingly won their opening singles matches to give the visitors a 2-0 lead on Friday against France. However, Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra held their nerve to beat Andre Begemann and Kamke 6-1, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5 to stay in the series. "Were still alive. It was a great performance from Julien and Mika. Its very hard to play when youre 2-0 down because you have no room for error," France captain Arnaud Clement said. "They deserve it because they really pushed themselves." In Sundays matches, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is scheduled to play Kamke, and Benneteau faces Gojowczyk. Andy Murray was the busiest player of the day as he first had to complete a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Italys Andreas Seppi in their delayed singles match, before returning to the court to help Britain take a 2-1 lead with a win in the doubles. Murray and Colin Fleming beat Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to boost Britains bid to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1981. Rain delays had interrupted play in Naples on Friday and Murrays match was suspended because of darkness in the second set. Murray can secure the victory when he plays Fognini on Sunday. "It should be a tough match," Murray said. "Fabio has played very well this year so itll be a great challenge. But I hope I can have a good match and get us to the semis." Air Max 270 Bowfin Gris . Team officials travelled to Los Angeles on Thursday night to meet with the free agent, a person with knowledge of the plans said. Air Max 270 Be True Pas Cher . - After spending the morning in the hospital, Logan Couture gave the San Jose Sharks the spark they needed.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson handled questions about the "chatter" swirling around his future with his usual bold and boisterous banter Sunday night, raising his eyebrows and smiling after every answer. Jackson still knows his critics -- and the decision-makers in the organization -- will not be satisfied just because he can spin a sentence that projects confidence. He understands a secure future with the Warriors will depend on how his players perform in the playoffs. "My job will be determined on winning," Jackson said. "Im fine with that." Even in the midst of the franchises best season in 20 years, Jacksons job security and his relationship with ownership have been at the forefront of discussion. Much of that has been fueled by the curious moves involving two of his assistant coaches the past two weeks. The Warriors management fired Darren Erman on Saturday for "a violation of company policy" but declined to reveal the policy he violated. Jackson also reassigned Brian Scalabrine to the teams NBA Development League affiliate in Santa Cruz on March 25 because of what Jackson called a "difference in philosophies." Support still remains high for Jackson in the locker room. Everybody from All-Star point guard Stephen Curry to veteran centre Jermaine ONeal has gone out of their way to applaud the job Jackson has done. General manager Bob Myers also said the team believes in Jacksons abilities. But co-owner Joe Lacob has yet to publicly support Jacksons future beyond this season. And the teams decision to pick up Jacksons contract option for the 2014-15 season last summer instead of negotiating a long-term deal has led to speculation that the Warriors need to at least match last seasons second-round playoff appearance or Jacksons job could be in jeopardy. Jackson, for his part, said he has a great relationship with the front office and Lacob. He added that the two spoke for about 15 minutes in San Antonio during Golden States recent road ttrip. Air Max 270 React Noir Bleu. . "Theres no friction at all," Jackson said. "I humbly submit to you, if youve got a problem with me as a person, then its your problem. Im low maintenance. What you see is what you get, and Im going to be a fun-loving enjoyable guy thats easy to talk to. I have no issues with anybody in this organization and its been that way from day one." Jackson has repeatedly praised his players and the job Myers and his staff have done to reconstruct a roster that went 23-43 just two years ago during the labour-lockout shortened season. He also has tried to put the focus back on the floor, where the Bay Areas beloved basketball team is beginning to blossom again this spring. The Warriors (48-29) eclipsed last seasons win total in Sunday nights rout of Utah, moving 19 games over .500 for the first time in 20 years. Golden State is 1 1/2 games behind fifth-place Portland and 1 1/2 games ahead of seventh-place Dallas in the crammed conference standings. Barring an epic collapse in the final five games, the Warriors will make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons. And theyve done that while coping with injuries that have sidelined starters Andrew Bogut, David Lee and Andre Iguodala for prolonged stretches. "The numbers speak for themselves," Jackson said. Winning in the regular season, though, doesnt always mean much. All Jackson has to do is look back at what happened after beating Denver in the first round last season, when the Nuggets fired George Karl after he led them to a franchise-record 57 wins and earned NBA Coach of the Year honours. Jackson noted that the depth of the Western Conference this season means that plenty of good teams with good coaches wont make it past the first round. And, like most years, that could mean some dont return next season -- though hes not planning to be among either group. "Believe it or not," Jackson said, "I am absolutely convinced that my future is just fine." ' ' '
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