France win Saturday’s doubles clash to keep Davis Cup hopes alive
France ensured the Davis Cup final will go to a third day after winning Saturday’s doubles match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Croatia had taken a commanding 2-0 lead after winning both of the opening singles match-ups on Friday, leaving France with the unenviable task of winning all remaining rubbers to win the tournament.
Bizarre selections by France leave Croatia on the brink of Davis Cup glory.https://t.co/xqJjFoHWx1
— Tennis365 (@T365Official) November 24, 2018
They made the best possible start, though, with Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert beat Croatian pair Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic 6-4 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-3).
The result will now be decided on Sunday.
Jo Wilfried Tsonga lost the second rubber to Marin Cilic on Friday, and he said then the hosts were far from finished.
“I’m of course a little bit sad to lose and give the point to the Croatian guy,” he said after his match.
“But, you know, I did my best, I gave everything, and Marin played a good match.
“So, I hope I will be able to recover.”
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
ATP TourNick Kyrgios ready to ‘put on a good show’ for Canadian fans as he accepts Toronto wildcard
Nick Kyrgios off to Toronto.
-
Tennis NewsSimona Halep ‘motivated for what’s next’ after overcoming ‘hardest time of her career’
Simona Halep ready to go again after injury setback.
-
Tennis NewsTracy Austin on Novak Djokovic’s ‘implosion’ and being compared to tennis’ ‘Mother Teresa and Dalai Lama’
“I am not condoning it. He has a lot of pressure,” says Austin.
-
ATP TourRusty Rafael Nadal ‘not worried’ about sluggish win over Jack Sock, but eager to keep the momentum
Rafael Nadal made to work for his win by Jack Sock.
-
T365 RecallT365 Recalls: When Serena Williams wondered ‘where do I go from here’ after thrashing Maria Sharapova at London Olympics
“I have everything there is to win in tennis.”
-
Tennis FeaturesPremier League preview 2021/22: Jamie Vardy offers cracking each-way value in Golden Boot betting
Leicester man ‘scores goals and should do again’.
-
Tennis NewsNick Kyrgios gives brutal assessment about his game and mentality after defeat, saying ‘my head’s in the shed’
“I’m losing and I’m barely getting angry,” says Nick Kyrgios.
-
US OpenRafael Nadal on Novak Djokovic’s Calendar Grand Slam effort: ‘I definitely believe that he can do it’
“When you win three, you can win four,” says Rafael Nadal.
-
ATP TourFormer champion Andy Murray accepts wildcard entry for Cincinnati Masters
Andy Murray to return to Cincinnati.
-
WTA Tour‘I’m sorry to be missing out on Montreal,’ says Naomi Osaka as she leads high-profile withdrawals
Naomi Osaka’s WTA Tour return delayed.