The Czech Republic have taken a 2-1 lead in their Davis Cup clash with Great Britain after Neil Broad and Tim Henman slumped to a four sets defeat at the hands of Jiri Novak and David Rikl.

The result means that Henman and Jamie Delgado must both win their singles on Sunday to avoid defeat.

A loss would leave Britain facing a play-off against the USA or Zimbabwe to stay in the tournament's World Group.

The British pair, without a win together since their Olympic semi-final victory in Atlanta in 1996, were not without their chances.

They failed to convert two set points at 6-5 in the first set, Henman double faulted twice to hand the second set to the hosts and they were twice a break up in the fourth.

Each time they failed to capitalise and the Czechs, who reached the fourth round at the Australian Open last month, powered away on their favoured clay surface.

World No 10 Henman now faces Novak while Delgado takes on Slava Dosedel.

Just one victory will take the Czechs through to the quarter-finals.

"We would have loved to have taken one of those opportunities in the first set but that's been the story of our last few matches," said Henman.

"On every occasion we've put in really good performances but haven't taken our chances and that's the difference between us winning and losing.

"When you're playing against guys who play together week in week out it is an advantage for them and that's the predicament we have."

Henman plays first and if he wins, Britain's hopes will rest on Delgado.

Results:

Doubles:
Jiri Novak/David Rikl beat Neil Broad/Tim Henman 7-6 6-4 6-7 6-2

Friday's singles:
Slava Dosedel lost to Tim Henman 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 1-6 5-7 3-6
Jiri Novak beat Jamie Delgado 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-3

Sunday's singles (1200 GMT):

Novak (Cze) v Henman (Gbr)
Dosedel (Cze) v Delgado (Gbr)

Other results:
Germany 2-1 Netherlands

M-K Goellner & D Prinosil (Ger) bt P Haarhuis & J Siemerink (Ned) 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7/3) 6-3

Switzerland 2-1 Australia

R Federer & L Manta (Swi) bt W Arthurs & S Stolle (Aus) 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7/4)

Brazil 3-0 France

G Kuerten & J Oncins (Bra) bt C Pioline & N Escude (Fra) 6-4 6-4 6-4

Zimbabwe 2-1 USA

W Black & K Ullyett (Zim) bt R Leach & A O'Brien (USA) 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 0-6 7-5 7-5

Slovakia 3-0 Austria

K Kucera & D Hrbaty (Svk) bt J Knowle & A Peya (Aut) 6-4 6-3 6-4

Spain 3-0 Italy

A Corretja & J Balcells (Spa) bt A Gaudenzi & D Nargiso (Ita) 6-4 6-3 6-1

Russia 3-0 Belgium

(M Safin & A Cherkasov (Rus) bt C Rochus & O Rochus (Bel) 4-6 7-6 (7/2) 1-6 6-1 6-3