from Associated Press

Stefan Edberg overcame Miloslav Mecir of Czechoslovakia in a five-set match yesterday to clinch a semifinal berth for Sweden, the defending champion, in Davis Cup play.

Edberg, who is ranked third in the world, won the decisive fifth match, 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 9-7, on a fast indoor carpet at Norrkoping, Sweden, to give the Swedes a 3-2 victory in the World Group quarterfinal.

Earlier, Milan Srejber of Czechoslovakia had tied the match score by upsetting Mats Wilander, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

Sweden will play France in the semifinals July 22-24 on clay at Bastad, Sweden.

'All I Had'
"It was one of the most thrilling matches I've played," Edberg said after his four-hour match. "It's a pity someone has to lose such a match. I gave it all I had in the fifth set."

Edberg came from being down, 1-4, in the fifth set to win the match.

The Swede earned the decisive service break in the 15th game of the fifth set, taking an 8-7 lead on his third break point after connecting with a forehand return off Mecir's weak second serve.

Then, serving for the match for the second time in the set, Edberg moved ahead, 40-30, on a bullet serve, then clinched it with a kicking second delivery that Mecir netted.

Unbeaten at Home Since '81
Sweden, trying to reach its sixth consecutive Davis Cup final, has not lost at home since 1981. It was the Swedes' third straight victory over Czechoslovakia.

Srejber, who prefers fast surfaces, replaced the injured veteran Tomas Smid in yesterday's first singles match.

Smid, who had lost the opening singles Friday in straight sets to Edberg, injured his ankle during the morning practice.

It was the most bitter Davis Cup weekend ever for Wilander, who has the world's best Davis Cup record in the 1980's. The Swede, who is ranked second in the world, dropped a marathon three-set match to Mecir in a singles match Friday.