Kyle Edmund was the star once again for Britain as, in the absence of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, he secured his second straight-sets victory of the tie to beat Dusan Lajovic.

His powerful forehand propelled him to the first two sets 6-3, 6-4, before he moved a break ahead in the third.

But Lajovic, who thrashed James Ward yesterday and was his country's leading player in the absence of world number one Novak Djokovic, fought back to ensure a tie break.

Edmund, however, was too good in drizzly conditions, fighting ahead to win 7-5 on a heavy clay surface which did not seem to suit his game.

Britain, with Andy Murray returning, will now compete in their second Davis Cup semi-final since 1981.

They will face Argentina at home, who were similarly impressive in beating Italy away from home today.

Federico Dulbonis was the star as he beat Fabio Fognini 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 for a 3-1 win.

It ensured Argentina's 11th Davis Cup semi-final in 15 years, with the team desperate to improve upon their last-four loss to Belgium last year.

France secured a first win on Czech soil since 1926 after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga battled to a four set win over Jiri Vesely.

The Czech rising star began well to take the first set 6-4, but was unable to match his opponent thereafter.

Tsonga won a second set tie break 7-3, before taking the next two sets, 6-4, 7-5.

“It was perfect, I am really happy," said French captain Yannick Noah after the 3-1 victory.

"We have a new generation that came into the locker room. 

"It gives a really different dimension to our team. 

"The fact that they won will give them so much confidence. 

"I hope they keep playing like this."

France will face the winners of the final quarter-final between US and Croatia, currently sitting at 2-1 to the Americans.