France takes lead in Davis Cup tie
The French team of Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra defeated Canadians Milos Raonic and Daniel Nestor in straight sets, 7-6(1) 7-6(2) 6-3. France has a 2-1 lead over Canada in their Davis Cup World Group tie.
Canada's hopes of winning the tie were dealt a serious blow with the loss in the doubles rubber. This now puts tremendous pressure of Milos Raonic in his upcoming match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Sunday. If Raonic was able to pull out a big win over the No.6 player in the world, then there is still the possibilty of Gael Monfils stepping in for the final rubber. The tie isn't over yet, but it's going to be quite an uphill battle from here on out for Team Canada.
The first two sets of the match were rather close with no breaks of serve. Yet France was able to run away with both tiebreaks to take a two set lead in the rubber. Milos wasn't at his best and was having trouble with the first serve. Nestor and Raonic did well to stay in the match despite their overall low first serve percentage. The French team was just more consistent on the big points, which was most apparent in the tiebreaks.
The first break of serve of the match came early in the third and it went France's way. Canada couldn't get things to swing their way and was unable to get back on serve. All the momentum seemed to be with Benneteau and Llodra who were bolstered by French fans that had more to cheer about than the home crowd. France broke again to win the rubber, disappointing a lot of Canadian fans in the process.
Sunday will be a big day for singles, but it's sudden death for Team Canada. Raonic will certainly be in tough against Tsonga. That match starts at 4:30PM EST and will be live on Sportsnet. The fifth rubber will likely feature Vasek Pospisil and either Julien Benneteau or Gael Monfils. If Tsonga beats Raonic, however, it could be a dead rubber and will be a best-of-three set match instead of best-of-five.
It's crunch time, Canada.
-multi
Recent Posts
- “Da agony of da feet.”
- What’s next?
- Milos Raonic out of 1st Round Davis Cup tie with Japan this week
- “Novak and Stan teach the women a lesson in humility” – Article from The West Australian
Recent Comments
- on What’s next?
- on Milos Raonic out of 1st Round Davis Cup tie with Japan this week
- on “Novak and Stan teach the women a lesson in humility” – Article from The West Australian
Categories
Blogroll
- Chris' Music
- multiformous on Twitter
- Raging Sloth IT
- unofficial Vasek Pospisil fan site (#ANYTHINGisPOSPISIL)
- wacb.net
Archives
- July 2015
- May 2015
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
Meta
Visitor Locales
"Flag Counter" apparently records unique hits per country and total number of pageviews since 21 Feb 2011
February 12th, 2012 - 18:44
My first thought is for Milos : he must be so disappointed ! Honestly I don’t think a wounded Milos would have beaten Tsonga and the fifth rubber would have been very difficult at any rate. But I can understand it is very sad for Canada. He still did his best, especially on Friday. Hope he is fit for San José. Whatever the result, Canada fought to the end of it !
February 12th, 2012 - 18:12
Who knows how his knee is really… and maybe I’m completely off base, but I’m feeling cynical and disappointed about him pulling out of Davis Cup today. In hindsight it seems like a huge error to have played him in doubles yesterday. I’m not sure if he was a major upgrade on Pospisil, and it may have denied people who had tickets for today the excitement of Tsonga-Raonic. I almost managed to get a ticket for today and that could have been me. I also just feel bad that even the faintest of hopes of Canada winning the tie seem to have been abandoned before the day even began. But then, maybe it’s just my disappointment talking… hope Milos has a great tournament in San Jose!
February 12th, 2012 - 19:19
The decision to pull out of the match against Tsonga came very late. It certainly sucks for fans hoping to see Milos.
As far as we know, the knee wasn’t bothering Raonic too much before the doubles match. Milos wanted to play in the doubles. They knew they had to take that point in order to have any chance on the final day. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way.