France oust Germany in Davis Cup first round

By Iain Rogers

HALLE, Germany (Reuters) – France seized an unbeatable 3-0
lead over Germany in their Davis Cup first round tie on
Saturday, winning the doubles to dash the home nation’s hopes
of a winning return to the elite World Group.

French pair Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra booked their
team’s place in April’s quarter-finals, coming back from a set
down to defeat Tommy Haas and Alexander Waske 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-1.

France, going for their first Davis Cup title since 2001,
set up a last eight meeting with Russia, who beat the
Netherlands on Saturday in their first round clash.

“You have to acknowledge how well France played, even if
that’s difficult,” Haas said. “You have to expect them to go
far in this year’s competition.”

The visitors were 2-0 ahead after Friday’s opening singles,
Sebastien Grosjean overcoming Australian Open semi-finalist
Nicolas Kiefer and teenager Richard Gasquet beating Haas.

It is the seventh meeting between the two nations, with
France holding a 5-2 advantage. The last time they met in 1996,
France won 5-0 and went on to collect the trophy.

Haas and an error-prone Waske, undefeated in three previous
Davis Cup doubles matches together, started Saturday’s contest
strongly but were outfought by the wily Clement and the tall,
powerful Llodra.

“One or two points here and there going the other way and
maybe the outcome would have been different,” said Haas.

Germany had returned to the World Group after a two-year
absence and last won the Davis Cup in 1993 helped by former
Wimbledon champion Michael Stich.

Germany last defeated France way back in 1938.