ROTTERDAM, Netherlands -- Jim Courier, rescuing the United States following a shocking loss by Pete Sampras, defeated Jacco Eltingh in the deciding match of the Davis Cup quarterfinals against the Netherlands.


In other weekend play Russia clinched its first ever semifinal berth by defeating the Czech Republic 3-2 Sunday in St. Petersburg.


After Richard Krajicek beat Sampras earlier Sunday to keep the Dutch alive, Courier downed Eltingh 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, giving the United States a 3-2 victory in the best-of-5 match competition.


"I didn't think I'd have to play another live match," Courier said. "But the bottom line is we got the job done."


It was an especially satisfying win for Courier, who has struggled this year.


The Americans will play Sweden in the semifinals Sept. 23-25. Sweden advanced with a 3-2 victory over France.


The other semifinal will match defending champion Germany against Russia. Germany downed Spain 3-2.


Russia's two-man team clawed their way back from the brink of elimination, winning both reverse singles against the Czech Republic.


Andrei Olkhovsky ensured a semifinal berth for the Russians by beating Slava Dosedel 6-2, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the deciding fifth rubber.


Russia had earlier drawn level after Yevgeny Kafelnikov underlined his status as the country's new tennis sensation by beating Peter Korda 6-4, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.


"Korda will turn you into a meat cutlet if you give him a chance," said Kafelnikov. Korda complemented Kafelnikov on the victory but them complained about the Czech's accommodation.


Russia was reduced to two players after Alexander Volkov withdrew last week with dermatitis and both Andrei Cherkasov and Andrei Chesnokov chose not to play.


"In spite of these problems I believed in our two boys," said Russian head coach Vadim Borisov.


The United States took a 2-0 lead Friday with easy victories by Sampras and Courier. But the Netherlands evened it with a doubles win Saturday and Krajicek's 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 upset of Sampras, the world's No. 1 player.


That left it up to Courier and Eltingh to break the tie before a fiercely partisan crowd of 10,000 in Rotterdam.


Courier won the first set in 30 minutes and took the second set by breaking Eltingh in the 10th game. On set point, Eltingh appeared to hit a winner, but Courier chased down the ball, stretched out to hit a tremendous passing shot and then raised his arms in celebration.


Eltingh came back to win the third set, but Courier dominated the final set with his grinding groundstrokes.


After losing the first set against Sampras, Krajicek rallied to win in a battle of big servers. Sampras, coming off an emotional Wimbledon championship earlier this month, appeared to suffer a letdown against Krajicek.


"I feel a little mentally fatigued," he said. "I've played so many matches in the last month, it's taking its toll."


Stefan Edberg clinched Sweden's win over France by beating Cedric Pioline 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 in sweltering heat at Cannes.


The win gave Sweden an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-5 match competition. In the final singles match, which was reduced to three sets, France's Olivier Delaitre beat Henrik Holm 6-4, 6-3.


Edberg, who lost in the first round at the French Open and the second round at Wimbledon this year, rebounded by winning both of his singles matches against France.


Michael Stich defeated Sergi Bruguera 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 to clinch Germany's win over Spain on grasscourts at Halle, Germany.


The win put Germany ahead 3-1 and made the last singles match meaningless. Spain's Jordi Burillo beat Marc Goellner 6-4, 6-4 in that final match.


(AP, Reuters)