The duo, who claimed their second Grand Slam title together on the famous grass courts last week, came through against Lukas Rosol and Radek Stepanek, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a topsy-turvy affair in Trinec.

It was the first Davis Cup appearance for the French team with their country now one-point away from the semi-finals after yesterday's two singles rubbers were shared.

Herbert and Mahut, the US Open champions in 2015, have now won 11 matches in a row while 37-year-old Stepanek has lost a Davis Cup doubles match on a hard court for the first time.

Elsewhere, defending champions Great Britain boast a 2-1 lead over Serbia in their quarter-final on the clay in Belgarde.

Home favourite Dusan Lajovic beat James Ward 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 to level the contest at 1-1 in a match which was postponed due to rain yesterday.

The doubles contest swung the tie back in Britain's favour, however, as Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot defeated Filip Krajinovic and Nenad Zimonjic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Hosts Italy drew level with Argentina at 1-1 as Fabio Fognini beat Argentina's Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-1, 7-5.

A five-set doubles match swung the game in Pesaro back in the favour of the visitors, however, as Guido Pella and Juan Martin del Potro saw off Fognini and Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4.