DUSSELDORF, May 24: Chile are on the brink of reaching the final of the 1.85 million euro (2.36 million dollar) ATP World Team Championship for the third time in four years after defeating the United States 2-0 in their blue group match on Wednesday.

The USA sent out big-serving World No. 5 Andy Roddick for the first match against Nicolas Massu but with the Chilean leading 4-2 in the first set Roddick was forced to retire with an ankle injury.

The 23-year-old Roddick, who had also been struggling with shoulder and neck problems, is now a doubt for the French Open at Roland Garros, which begins on Monday.

Chile needed no help in winning the second singles match though, with Paul Capdeville triumphing 6-4, 6-4 over America's Robby Ginepri - a player ranked 100 places higher in the world rankings.

The final doubles match leaves the US just playing for pride after an awful tournament.

The United States started as one of the favourites with Roddick fronting the strongest team in years but they lost their first two matches and are now concentrating on not finishing last.

Meanwhile, Chile, who won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004, have the chance to reach the final again if they can defeat Croatia in their final group game on Friday.

In the other red group reigning champions Germany take on the Czech Republic in the decisive match on Thursday with the winner progressing to Saturday's final.

The Czechs have never won this competition but have reached the final on three occasions (1996, 1998 and 2003).

Earlier on Tuesday, Germany's Nicolas Kiefer backed Gaston Gaudio to do well at Roland Garros next week despite humiliating the former French Open champion 6-2 6-3.

Kiefer helped Germany to secure a 2-1 victory over Argentina, while the Czech Republic beat Italy with the same score.

Argentine Gaudio was in despair after he suffered his second straight sets defeat this week and admitted he had little hope of making an impression in Paris.

Kiefer, however, believes Gaudio will still be a threat when play begins in Paris on Sunday.

Kiefer's victory put Germany level with Argentina after Alexander Waske had been edged out 4-6 6-4 7-6 by Jose Acasuso.

Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske then secured the tie for Germany with a 6-3 6-3 win over David Nalbandian and Sebastian Prieto.

The defeat left Argentina with no points from two ties in the Red Group.

The Czechs also had to wait until the doubles to win their tie against Italy.

Tomas Berdych gave the Czechs the lead by winning the last five games to defeat Filippo Volandri 6-1 6-4. Italy's Davide Sanguinetti then defeated Robin Vik 7-6 2-6 6-4, before Berdych and Leos Friedl teamed up to beat Sanguinetti and Volandri 6-2 6-1.Chile's Fernando Gonzalez has injured his right thigh and has withdrawn from Wednesday's match against the United States.

The World Team Cup, which features six of the world's top 10 players, is played between eight teams split into two groups, with the winners of each group contesting Saturday's final.

Result:

Round Robin Red Group match between Argentina and Germany on Tuesday

5-Germany beat 2-Argentina 2-1

On Tuesday

Michael Kohlmann/Alexander Waske (Germany) beat David Nalbandian/Sebastian

Prieto (Argentina) 6-3 6-3

Nicolas Kiefer (Germany) beat Gaston Gaudio (Argentina) 6-2 6-3

Jose Acasuso (Argentina) beat Alexander Waske (Germany) 4-6 6-4 7-6(1)

1958 230506 GMT

Blue Group

Chile 2 United States 0

Chile hold an unassailable lead

Singles

Nicolas Massu (CHI) bt Andy Roddick (USA) 4-2 (Roddick retired through injury); Paul Capdeville (CHI) bt Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-4, 6-4.

SANIA BEATEN