TENNIS – France alongside with the Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland progressed to the Davis Cup 2014 semifinals after a thrilling and historic weekend of action in tennis’ premier international team competition. Remarkably, France, Italy and Switzerland all won their quarterfinals in decisive fifth matches – which meant that for the first time in the history of the World Group three of the four last eight clashes have gone to a live fifth match. Simone Kemler
France alongside with the Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland progressed to the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals on 12-14 September 2014 after a thrilling and historic weekend of action in tennis’ premier international team competition. Remarkably, France, Italy and Switzerland all won their quarterfinals in decisive fifth matches – which meant that for the first time in the history of the World Group three of the four last eight clashes have gone to a live fifth match – especially noticed in France as Arnaud Clement’s ‘Tricolore’ pulled off the first comeback from 0-2 down in a World Group tie in 16 years against Germany in Nancy. It was not since Sweden recovered from the loss of the opening two matches against Slovak Republic in 1998 that a team had staged such a recovery in the elite tier of the competition.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils inflicted the decisive blows for France after Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra had given France a lifeline in Saturday’s doubles, defeating Tobias Kamke and Andre Begemann, serving up heartbreak for Germany who had gained an unlikely and surprising 2-0 lead on the opening day courtesy of Tobias Kamke and Peter Gojowczyk.
On day three Tsonga brushed past Kamke 6-3 6-2 6-4 in an hour and 42 minutes in the fourth rubber, before Gael Monfils sparked jubilant scenes in Nancy with a 6-1 7-6(0) 6-2 win over Tsonga’s opening day conqueror and German Davis Cup debutant Peter Gojowczyk. Here the results in detail: Tobias Kamke (GER)d. Julien Benneteau (FRA) 7-6(8) 6-3 6-2, Peter Gojowczyk (GER) d. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)5-7 7-6(3) 3-6 7-7(8) 8-6, Julien Benneteau/Michael Llodra (FRA) d. Andre Begemann/Tobias Kamke (GER) 6-1 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5, Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d. Tobias Kamke (GER) 6-3 6-2 6-4,Gael Monfils (FRA) d. Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-1 7-6(0) 6-2.
The World Group semis will take place on 12.-14. September 2014, when France will host Czech Republic and the Italians need to travel to their Suisse neighbours. The eight World Group play-offs will also take place over the same weekend. The draw for the World Group play-offs will be in London early April. The eight seeds will be based on the new ITF Davis Cup Nations Ranking.The nations competing in the World Group play-offs are: World Group first round losing nations: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and USAand Zone Group I second round winning nations: Brazil, Croatia, Colombia, India, Israel, Slovak Republic, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. (with ITF-material)
