James Blake and Todd Martin kept America's Davis Cup hopes alive with a dramatic five-set victory over defending champions France in the doubles on Saturday.

The pair secured a 2-6 7-6 (7/2) 2-6 6-4 6-4 win over Mickael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro to narrow the French lead going into the final day's singles of their semi-final.

"This feels great," Blake said. "It got us back into this and now we've got a chance to win. That's what makes the Davis Cup so exciting."

Blake and Andy Roddick, who were beaten in Friday's singles, must win both their reverse matches to avoid elimination.

Blake and Martin lost the first set after just 27 minutes when Martin hit a service return into the net, one of many errors by the 32-year-old.

Blake's forehand stopped the French running away with the second set - and he sealed the tie-breaker with a smash, much to the delight of the US fans in Paris.

Santoro and Llodra regained control in the third set, but faltered early in the next, which Blake closed out with a 117 mph serve.

Martin served for the match at 5-4 and although Blake wasted the first match point with a long backhand volley, they sealed victory two points later.

Blake was picked to replace Mardy Fish, who had never played with Martin in competition, to recreate the partnership that won the Cincinnati Masters last month.

Reverse singles

France, who are looking to win their first back-to-back Davis Cup title since 1932, need just one win on Sunday to book their place in the final.

The American team is aiming to become the first since 1934 to come back from a 2-0 deficit, while France has squandered a 2-0 lead twice - in 1946 and 1956.

Roddick faces Sebastien Grosjean and Blake plays Arnaud Clement in the reverse singles.

The winner will face either Russia or Argentina in the Davis Cup final.

Lukas Arnold and David Nalbandian handed Argentina a lifeline in the other semi-final by beating Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4 6-4 5-7 3-6 19-17.

Russia goes into the final day's reverse singles with a 2-1 lead.