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France take lead in David Cup final after doubles epic

Llodra and Clement
Llodra and Clement won in four hours 34 minutes

French duo Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra battled back from two sets down to win a five-set epic and hand France a 2-1 Davis Cup final lead over Serbia.

They beat Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki 3-6 6-7 6-4 7-5 6-4 in a match lasting four hours 34 minutes.

Play was delayed in the second set as players appealed to a raucous crowd of 17,000 to be quiet between points.

The tie will decided in Sunday's reverse singles matches, with pairings yet to be decided.

World number three Novak Djokovic is likely to take on 12th-ranked Gael Monfils, before Janko Tipsarevic or possibly Troicki faces either Llodra or Gilles Simon.

If they were able to win that match surely they can win any match in the Davis Cup

France captain Guy Forget

Serbia are attempting to win the Davis Cup for the first time.

Should they defeat nine-time champions France, team captain Bogdan Obradovic has suggested it would be the biggest achievement in his nation's sporting history.

Obradovic opted to pair Zimonjic and Troicki, rather than asking Djokovic to take part in Sunday's battle.

Clement lost his serve in both sets that the French lost but the 32-year-old veteran's spectacular lob that landed on the baseline triggered a crucial break in the 11th game of the fourth set.

606: DEBATE
FedFan-Kim

Zimonjic then lost his serve in the opening game of the fifth set, and the French wrapped up victory.

A delighted France captain Guy Forget said: "If they were able to win that match surely they can win any match in the Davis Cup.

"It was so hard mentally. At two sets to love I said, 'You can win the third fourth and fifth. Just forget about the crowd.'

"It's great to win when you don't play well."



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see also
Djokovic win brings Serbia level
03 Dec 10 |  Tennis
Djokovic banking on home support
01 Dec 10 |  Tennis
France ease into Davis Cup final
18 Sep 10 |  Tennis
Serbia into first Davis Cup final
20 Sep 10 |  Tennis
Serbia reach first Davis Cup semi
11 Jul 10 |  Tennis
France defeat Spain in Davis Cup
10 Jul 10 |  Tennis
Spain clinch Davis Cup final win
06 Dec 09 |  Tennis
US can recapture Davis Cup glory
01 Dec 10 |  Tennis


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