Spain and France moved into the last eight of the Davis Cup following Saturday's doubles matches.

But the Spaniards did not have it all their own way.

Alex Corretja and Albert Costa were pushed hard by Belgium's Olivier Rochus and Kristof Vliegen before they claimed a 6-4 4-6 6-3 3-6 8-6 victory.

France had a much easier ride in the last four as Australian Open winners Fabrice Santoro and Michael Llodra showed their class.

I was disappointed with the lack of class in some of the fans James Blake US Davis Cup star

They beat Romania's Andrei Pavel and Gabriel Trifu 6-4 6-3 7-6 to give France an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Two of the other doubles rubbers also went to five sets.

The United States face a battle if they are to reach the semi-finals as they trail Croatia 2-1.

The Croatian team of Goran Ivanisevic and Ivan Ljubicic defeated James Blake and Mardy Fish 3-6 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 6-4.

After the game the American team criticised the intimidating atmosphere at Hall Dom Sportiva in Zagreb.

Blake said: "I was disappointed with the lack of class in some of the fans. They were calling out between serves and during points.

"The Davis Cup is all about friendships and fairness and that was a little disappointing, though I don't think that's why we lost."

Later on Saturday, Davis Cup holders Russia moved into a 2-1 lead against the Czech Republic after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Mikhail Youzhny overcame Martin Damm and Cyril Suk 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-3.

Former singles world number one Kafelnikov and Youzhny, playing their first doubles match together, took two hours 44 minutes to defeat the Czech duo in Ostrava.

Gustavo Kuerten and Andre Sa teamed up to beat Jonas Bjorkman and Magnus Larsson 6-4 2-6 5-7 6-2 6-2 as Brazil took a 2-1 lead away to Sweden.

Holland lead Switzerland 2-1 after Martin Verkerk and Paul Haarhuis beat Roger Federer and George Bastl 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-5.

Argentina wrapped up a 3-0 win over Germany in Buenos Aires when Lucas Arnold and David Nalbandian paired up to outlast Rainer Schuettler and Michael Kohlmann 6-1 0-6 4-6 6-1 6-2.

Latest results:

World Group:

Spain 3-0 Belgium
France 3-0 Romania
Croatia 2-1 US
Sweden 1-2 Brazil
Holland 2-1 Spain
Czech Republic 1-2 Russia
Argentina 3-0 Germany

Asia-Oceania zone:

Taiwan 3-0 Kazakhstan
Thailand 2-1 South Korea
India 2-1 Japan
Hong Kong 3-0 Tajikistan
New Zealand 3-0 Pakistan
Indonesia 2-1 Uzbekistan

Euro-African zone:

Norway 0-3 Austria
Belarus 3-0 Israel

American zone:

Ecuador 2-1 Chile
Peru 2-0 Bahamas
Mexico 2-0 Netherlands Antilles
Paraguay 2-0 Haiti
Cuba 2-0 Colombia
Uruguay 0-2 Dominican Republic