When Radek Stepanek marries Martina Hingis, Andy Roddick and his U.S. Davis Cup teammates ought to send the couple a little something extra as a thank you for Stepanek’s recent contribution to American tennis.

The United States defeated the Czech Republic 4–1 this weekend in Ostrava for its first Davis Cup victory on clay in 10 years. Roddick clinched it with a 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–6(4) win over Tomas Berdych, but the contest might have been closer had the 28-year-old Stepanek, experienced on clay and in doubles, not abandoned his teammates because of a tiff with his tennis federation. With Stepanek, clay was a wise choice of surface for the underdog Czechs. Without him, it was the only choice, and a desperate one.

Berdych showed why on Sunday. He made few mistakes against Roddick in the first set, but his timing faltered as Roddick began to play steadier. Berdych stands 6-foot-5 and knocks the cover off the ball. He also moves slowly and, oftentimes, awkwardly (on one point in the second set — a break point to put him back on serve — he stubbed his toe and fell). Clay is Berdych’s worst surface, and to hope that he might play well enough to defeat James Blake (which he accomplished on Friday) and Roddick in one weekend was too much to ask.

Instead of facing Stepanek on Friday, Roddick had to play Ivo Minar (he won in four sets). The Czechs fielded a very good doubles team (Lukas Dlouhy and Pavel Vizner), and they stayed close to twins Bob and Mike Bryan but could not stop them from breaking serve in the final game of each set, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4. Bob defeated Dlouhy in a meaningless singles match yesterday after Roddick’s win, hence the 4–1 final.

Despite the lopsided score, the outcome of this meeting was in doubt after Berdych won the first set against Roddick with near flawless play and a bit of luck. At 3–3, Berdych earned a break point when he slugged a Roddick second serve back at Roddick’s feet, causing the American to slice a backhand into the net. On the next point, Berdych’s service return clipped the net cord and dropped over for a winner. Roddick won only four points on Berdych’s serve in the set, two of them in the first game.

Roddick settled down in the second set, and, in a fine display of tactics, used the clay to his advantage. He played more patiently and changed the pace of his shots more often. Berdych’s misses piled up, and he attempted too many soft slices and dinks (in his case, “too many” means “more than none”). Sets two and three were not close, and Roddick controlled most of the fourth, too. He opened the tie breaker with a sliding backhand passing shot down the line and took a 5–1 lead before closing it out.

For Roddick and company, and especially captain Patrick McEnroe, the victory was cause for relief. The Americans defeated Belgium on clay in 2005 in a qualifying match that was every bit as meaningful as this one: had the United States lost, it would not have qualified for the top Davis Cup group last year. In live match play, however, the United States had gone 0–4 on clay (all on the road) since the squad led by its last great clay court player, Jim Courier, defeated Brazil in 1997 (Courier downed Gustavo Kuerten in four sets on a 101-degree day; he received treatment for dehydration after the match). Last year, the United States suffered a painful defeat against Russia when Roddick lost to Dmitry Tursunov 17–15 in the fifth set on a clay court that was, by most accounts, more like a dirt road, potholes and all. In 2004, the United States lost 3–2 to Spain in the Davis Cup final, thanks in part to Rafael Nadal, who defeated Roddick in Seville in front of the largest (27,200), and reportedly the loudest, crowd in the history of professional tennis.

The United States will have a chance to avenge that loss in April when Spain travels to Winston-Salem, N.C., for a quarterfinal match on hard courts. Nadal did not compete this weekend because of an injury, but the Spaniards had enough in reserve to defeat Switzerland, which continues struggle in Davis Cup because Roger Federer chooses not to play, at least during the early rounds. Nadal would normally be preparing for the clay court season on April 6-8, but if healthy, he’ll show. Barring injuries, the U.S. team will be favored, if for no other reason than the dominance of the Bryans.

Unfortunately for the United States, the biggest challenge likely would come next in the semifinals: Argentina, on the road. The Argentines defeated Austria 4–1 this weekend at home, without David Nalbandian. After losing the final in Russia last year 3–2, Argentina remains in search of its first Davis Cup title, and it has the best draw in the tournament. It next faces Sweden, a weak team, on the road, and then the winner of the United States and Spain at home. If Russia reaches the final again, Argentina will host.

In terms of depth, both in clay court players and in all-court talent, the Argentines cannot be matched. Guillermo Canas, back from a drug suspension, played this weekend. Jose Acasuso remains dangerous on every surface. Nalbandian is among the best players in the world, and could be top three with the proper attitude. Even its youngest player, the 18-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro, who is 6-foot-5, earned a victory this weekend in his first Davis Cup match. For the U.S. to end its 12-year Davis Cup drought this year, it’s going to take an incredible effort from a team that has compensated for its lack of clay court skills with camaraderie and consistent commitment to the Davis Cup cause. It wouldn’t hurt if they ran into a few more Stepaneks along the way.

tperrotta@nysun.com