Clermont-Ferrand, France: Michael Llodra defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to give hosts France a commanding two-nil lead over defending champions Spain in the Davis Cup World Group quarter-finals at the Grande Halle d'Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand, France on Friday (July 9th).
Earlier, Gael Monfils had beaten David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4 to give France a one-nil lead - Monfils drew heavily on the partisan courtside support amid the 6,000 fans inside the venue to end Ferrer's eight-match winning streak in Davis Cup, after the Spaniard had fought back from two sets down in a match lasting nearly four hours.
The hosts now have a commanding lead in the best-of-five tie as France look to defeat Spain for the first time since 1923 - and secure a spot in the last four of the Davis Cup for the first time in six years.
As 'La Marseillaise' rang out around the Grande Halle d'Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand on Friday (July 9th), the French Davis Cup team were looking to defeat Spain for the first time since 1923 - and secure a spot in the last four of the Davis Cup for the first time in six years.
A partisan atmosphere prevailed as France, who have won nine Davis Cup titles, lined up against the Spanish - the two-time defending champions who are unbeaten at home in this competition over the last 19 ties, which is a Davis Cup record.
The Spaniards have lifted the trophy four times - with all the triumphs coming since 2000 - and they flew into an early 3-0 lead in the opening singles rubber as Spain's David Ferrer broke Gael Monfils early on.
However, Monfils - ranked 17th in the world - stormed back and this double-handed backhand winner gave him set point in the tie break before he took the first set 7-6 (7-3) after winning four successive points.
Despite Ferrer's higher billing as the number 12 in the world, the Frenchman then broke the Spaniard twice in the second set before a Ferrer double-handed backhand landed in between the tram lines as Monfils surged into a two-set lead at 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
But then Ferrer fought back in the third, breaking Monfils' serve for a 2-1 lead and saving three break points at 5-4, before reeling off five points in a row to take the third set 6-4.
He then levelled at two sets apiece after Monfils had dropped serve in the 11th game with an unforced error. But the all-important break in the fifth and deciding set came as Ferrer served to stay in the match at 4-5; yet another punishing Monfils forehand winner down the line sealing 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4 win after three hours and 57 minutes as the delighted France coaches looked on. Next up on centre stage was Michael Llodra against Fernando Verdasco.
10th-ranked Verdasco was certainly the favourite on paper versus the world number 35 - and he duly took the first set on a tie break as an explosive cross-court forehand return left Llodra wrong-footed as the Spaniard led 7-6 (7-5).
But then Llodra stormed back into contention as this fierce overhead smash gave him three set points before he levels the match at one-set-all: 6-7 (5-7), 6-4.
Verdasco then lost focus in the third set, arguing over two calls and dropping serve twice, each time on an unforced error before a double-handed backhand from Verdasco hit the net as Llodra took a two-sets-to-one lead. In the fourth set, this overhead smash moved Llodra to match point.
Then another unforced error from Verdasco allowed Llodra to seal a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win as France moved into a two-nil lead in the best-of-five tie.
Llodra and Julien Benneteau will take on Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez in the doubles on Saturday - the reverse singles will be played on Sunday.
Spain played without Wimbledon champion and world number one Rafael Nadal, who pulled out of the team to rest his sore knees. The winner of this tie will face Russia or Argentina in the semi-finals in September.
