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Men's Tennis
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Women's Tennis
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| Friday, February 9 |
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| France pulls out to 2-0 lead Reuters | |||
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GHENT, Belgium – Both of Belgium's Rochus
brothers surrendered two-set leads on Friday, allowing France to
take a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup world group match.
Sebastien Grosjean battled back against a weary Olivier
Rochus to take the second singles rubber 4-6, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.
Earlier, Australian Open finalist Arnaud Clement also
recovered to beat the elder Rochus, Christophe, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4,
6-2.
Both Frenchmen took time to adapt to the indoor clay at
Ghent's packed Flanders Sports Hall, but their fitness and
quality proved too much for the inexperienced Belgians.
Olivier Rochus recovered from 2-4 down to put together a
seven-game streak that gave him the first set 6-4 and a 3-0 lead
in the second, which he went on to win 6-1.
But Grosjean found his serve, powering back to dominate a
25-minute third set and edged the fourth 6-3.
Struggling against cramps, Rochus never seriously troubled
the Frenchman in the final set, which went to Grosjean 6-3,
giving the favourites a comfortable cushion going into
Saturday's doubles.
The winners face either Switzerland or the United States in
the second round.
"Physically and mentally, I'm a bit drained. Australia took
quite a bit out of me, but my motivation for the Davis Cup is
huge," Clement said after his match.
He said afterward that his teammates had helped him at two
sets down, giving him the confidence to come out with all guns
blazing for the third.
"The (team) atmosphere is incredible. During the year, you
play for yourself ... but when you're part of a team, it's really
a group, we're united, it creates unbelievable links between
us," he said.
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ALSO SEE Gambill pulls U.S. even against Switzerland Davis Cup results Netherland's Sluiter shocks Spain Rafter, Hewitt give Australia 2-0 lead against Ecuador Kuerten overcomes poor start to give Brazil lead Norman helps Sweden pull even with Czechs Haas crushes Moldovan while Kiefer falls Russia, Slovakia split singles matches Forget opts for form and youth against Belgium | |
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