France record historic win over Spain
Date published :
10 Jul 2010 - 10:47:34
France record historic win over SpainThe French Davis Cup team ended the day as they started, singing their national anthem, the Marseillaise, but this time in triumph together with the 6,700-strong Clermont-Ferrand crowd, having defeated defending champions Spain 3-0 to advance to the semifinal round in September. This will be the first semifinal appearance by France since 2004 and marks the first time since 1923 that the French had defeated Spain in Davis Cup. France have won the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas nine times in their history and would like to add a tenth title this year. Standing in their way will be either Argentina or Russia who are playing this weekend in Moscow but, whoever wins, France will have home advantage. Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra sealed victory for France over Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, who have been so instrumental to Spain’s success in Davis Cup over the last few years, with a 61 62 67(6) 76(5) win. As the players fell to the ground in celebration, the already ecstatic crowd at the Zenith Grand Hall d’Auvergne rose to their feet and cheered for their side. The team and the fans began a spontaneous rendition of the French anthem as the squad linked arms and sang their hearts out. Even if I am 30 years, I like this kind of match,” said Llodra. Amazing. We play tennis for that. Today it was too good on the court. When I started playing tennis, my dream was to play in the French team. When I was 11 years old, I saw Guy Forget and Henri Leconte in Davis Cup in Lyon when they won against the USA and, in my head, you know I said one time in my life I want to be like this and today it was amazing". "We beat Spain, the defending champions. It’s unbelievable.”French agression key to victoryWith the crowd anticipating a French win today, Benneteau and Llodra started very strongly. The French were on the attack from the start and played a perfect game to break Lopez. They set up the break point with glorious backhand passing shots that split the Spaniards right down the middle. A point later Lopez sent a volley into the net and the French were up 2-0, then 3-0.Soon it was 5-1 to the locals and a backhand winner from Benneteau’s racket secured another service break; once again it was on the Lopez serve. Benneteau claimed the set when he served it out without too much trouble.The huge crowd were in fine voice and their support for the French players just kept lifting their games to higher levels. With their outstanding Davis Cup record, much was expected of the Spaniards, but Lopez and Verdasco struggled to make any sort of impact against the French. Verdasco opened the second set and promptly lost his serve because of the French resistance. The locals to this point had won every break point they had. Then, in the seventh game, Lopez double faulted and a point later lost his serve when he dropped a forehand volley into the bottom of the net. The Spaniards showed their frustration, with Verdasco using the handle of his racket to punch his heart in an effort to get himself going. Benneteau closed out the set with his serve, as a superb backhand stop volley from Llodra sealed things.Lopez lost serve in the first game of the third but, in the eighth game, Benneteau dropped serve to put the set on level terms. They went to the tiebreak which see-sawed back and forth. First France had the advantage, then Spain. The crowd noise was at a deafening pitch. France held match point, a point to clinch the quarterfinal tie at 6-5. However Spain rallied and saved it and three points later the visitors were on the board with a set.Tension was high at the start of the fourth set but both teams were able to hold serve. It looked like Spain was in trouble in the sixth game but Lopez saved three break points to hold. At 4-4, Llodra held serve to take a 5-4 lead but the Spanish still looked very fresh, and finally confident, running back on the court to serve. Lopez served a great game for 5-5 then Benneteau did the same for 6-5. At the change of ends, both captains tried to inspire their teams with both Verdasco and Lopez giving approving nods to the advice from their captain Albert Costa. Verdasco served to force the breaker which went with serve until Verdasco double-faulted to give France a 4-2 lead. Despite big serving at clutch points from Lopez, the French had that weapon in their arsenals as well, with Benneteau sealing victory for France with a huge serve for 7-5. It was a big day for France and a disappointing one for Spain who have won this competition four times since their first win in 2000. Their hopes are now focused on tomorrow’s FIFA World Cup Final against The Netherlands and on the 2011 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas.Summing up for the French, their captain Guy Forget said, It’s as good as it can get. Great crowd, some great matches. The surface helped us a lot. Once again, you know, when you play the Spanish guys, they are going to give their best all the way to the end. The last time they beat us in Alicante and this makes me really happy - since 1923 finally we get to beat Spain in Davis Cup. But they are great sportsmen and I wish them all the best and hopefully they can win the World Cup on Sunday.”Related links> DavisCup.tv> Twitter> Tie information> Audio interviews> Scorecards & stats> France stuns Spain on day one> Spain looks to World Cup for inspiration> Monfils looks forward to Spanish challenge> Knee problem causes Nadal absenceRelated websites> Info en francais - FFT> Informacin espa- RFET Related Audio Interview with Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra (FRA) - Saturday Interview with captain Guy Forget (FRA) - Saturday Interview with Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez (ESP) - Saturday Interview with captain Albert Costa (ESP) - Saturday If you cannot hear the audio, then please update your media player by following one of the links above.
