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France leads Czechs 2-0 in Davis Cup semifinals
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WINS for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet put France on the cusp of a first Davis Cup final since 2010 after yesterday’s opening rubbers in the semifinal against defending champion the Czech Republic.
Playing at the French Open base of Roland Garros in Paris, French No. 1 Tsonga coasted to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over Lukas Rosol following Gasquet’s upset 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory over top Czech Tomas Berdych.
A win in today’s doubles will be enough to ensure that the French reach the final where they would play either Switzerland or Italy, who were contesting the other semifinal in Geneva, with Roger Federer giving the host a 1-0 lead.
“I am very proud of the way they played today,” French captain Arnaud Clement said.
“For Richard it was perhaps the best match he has played in the Davis Cup and he chose the right moment to do it. Bravo to both of them and we are well-placed this evening, but we still have a long way to go.”
Tsonga won five games in a row from 2-2 in the first set to pull clear of Rosol, who was chosen ahead of veteran campaigner Radek Stepanek.
He stayed in total control of the match in the second set despite some big-hitting from Rosol and, when he broke again in the fourth game of the third set, there was no way back for the outgunned Czech.
The Czechs are seeking a third straight Davis Cup title, while France is aiming for a first win in the annual team competition since 2001.
Gasquet, who was chosen ahead of recent US Open semifinalist Gael Monfils, took control early on against Berdych in front of a packed Philippe Chatrier center-court and he pocketed the first set 6-3 with a superb backhand and then never looked back, pulling off victory over a player ranked sixth in the world.
In Geneva, Federer gave Switzerland a 1-0 lead over Italy by beating Simone Bolelli 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4.
Federer, seeking to help the Swiss to a first Davis Cup title, was rarely under pressure at the Palexpo indoor arena.
Bolelli, ranked 76, hit more winners than Federer — 33 to 30 — but failed to convert any of his three break-point chances.
Federer improved to 36-7 in Davis Cup singles.
Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka was playing 17th-ranked Fabio Fognini in the second rubber.
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