By Richard Lucas
Photo Credit Mark and Natasha Peterson / Corleve
(July 9, 2011) Utilizing the two unused players from Friday's singles matches, France established an insurmountable 3-0 lead when Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga teamed up for a 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Philipp Petzschner and Christopher Kas. The French team will play the winner of Spain and the United States.
After Richard Gasquet worked back from two sets down in the opening rubber, it was all France as the team won nine straight sets to finish off the overmatched German team. Germany has now lost the last 18 consecutive live rubbers in Davis Cup dating back to 1953.
Kas, ranked 27th in the ATP Doubles rankings, made multiple errors at net late in the first set, negating the break of serve the Germans had earned to lead 6-5. To seal the humiliating set for Kas, the set was over when Tsonga mishit a forehand that dropped in as the German let it go, thinking the point was won.
The French team broke for a 4-3 lead in the second, and held to take the set, but not without a fight from the Germans. Kas and Petzschner saved three set points, but failed to convert their lone break opportunity before going down two sets to none.
With defeat appearing imminent, Germany needed to convert on the two break chances they had at 4-3 on Llodra's serve. Two quick missed returns appeared to completely deflate the team, as Kas was broken in the next game.
Tsonga served out the victory in routine fashion as Llodra put away a forehand volley to seal the match after two hours 15 minutes. France will play at home, at Roland Garros, if the US team can come back against the 0-2 deficit, but would travel to Spain if the Spanish Armada finishes off the victory this weekend.