Davis Cup Finals: France Rallies to Take 2-1 Lead Over Serbia

Filed under: Davis Cup

The French doubles pair of Michael Llodra (pictured) and Arnaud Clement came back to stun Serbia from two sets down and left the hometown fans heartbroken during day two of the Davis Cup finals at the Belgrade Arena on Saturday.

Llodra and Clement defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki 3-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in four hours, 34 minutes to take the pivotal doubles point during the third rubber of the championship tie. France now holds a commanding 2-1 advantage going into the last day of singles play on Sunday.

The swing point from Saturday's doubles rubber in Davis Cup play is critical. The last five Cups have been claimed by the nation that took the point; the last to defy the odds was Spain, when they defeated the United States in 2004 despite losing to the Bryan brothers.

France looks to make it six years in a row on Sunday. On Saturday, four spectacular shots by Llodra capped a monumental victory for the French Davis Cup -- that last point being a microcosm of the final three sets; the French veterans rallied, while a nervous Serbian team lost control of the match. Clement's return game was spectacular, while Llodra played very well under pressure in the deciding sets.

 

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Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/12/04/davis-cup-finals-france-rallies-to-take-2-1-lead-over-serbia/

Hernan Crespo Hunter Mahan Iker Casillas Ivan Ljubicic Jamie Carragher