Serbia were left to rue the absence of Novak Djokovic as Argentina took a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final after Australia had been stunned by Kazakhstan.

Djokovic is not featuring for his country given the last eight tie in Buenos Aires started just five days after the world number one beat Roger Federer to win his third Wimbledon title.

And the nine-time grand-slam champion was sorely missed on Friday, as Argentina won both rubbers at the Tecnopolis Arena to ensure they will head into Saturday's doubles rubber knowing a victory will seem them through.

Leonardo Mayer got their noses in front by beating Filip Krajinovic 6-4 6-2 6-1 in the opening rubber, then Federico Delbonis sent a partisan crowd into raptures by coming from two sets down to beat world number 20 Victor Troicki 2-6 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2.

Outsiders Kazakhstan also stand on the brink of the last four, having also won both rubbers to leave Australia shell-shocked in Darwin.

Mikhael Kukushki saw off Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4 6-3 6-3 and things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Nick Kyrgios suffered a shock 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 defeat to Aleksandr Nedovyesov.

Davis Cup veteran Lleyton Hewitt and the big-serving Sam Groth must secure victory over Nedovyesov and Andrey Golubev on Saturday to keep the tie alive.

It is all to play for in the tie between Great Britain and France, with Andy Murray beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5 7-6 (10-8) 6-2 at Queen's Club after Giles Simon had seen off James Ward in straight sets.

Canada must produce a stunning fightback to oust Belgium after Steve Darcis and David Goffin got the better of Frank Dancevic and Filip Peliwo respectively to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage on the clay in Middelkerke.