Spain To Meet France At Home In Davis Cup

Written by: Global Chick on 14th September 2011

Spain To Meet France At Home In Davis Cup

Wilfred Tsonga of the French team at the Davis Cup returns the ball during a training session at Los Califas bullring in Cordoba, southern Spain, on 12 September 2011. Los Califas is the place were the Davis Cup semifinal between Spain and France will take place, from 16 to 18 September 2011. EPA/RAFA ALCAIDE |

Spain and France have faced each other seven times and Spain is leading 5-2. US Open finalist Rafael Nadal is being put on a private jet and taken to Spain just in time for the tie.

The last time the two countries played France beat Spain 5-0. The Spaniards have not lost a home tie since 1999. Spain are the favourites for this tie winning Davis Cup four times in the last ten years in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2009.

Spain overcame USA in the quarterfinals. David Ferrer beat Andy Roddick and Feliciano Lopez fought hard to win over Mardy Fish. The Bryan twins won the doubles over Marcel Granollers and Fernando Verdasco. David Ferrer took home the tie with a win over Mardy Fish in four sets.

This is the 76^th time the Spanish team is participating in Davis Cup. They played in the competition for the first time in 1921. Nominated for this weeks tie are Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez.

The French team is also full of top players. Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet are going to fight for a spot in the Davis Cup final taking place later on in the year.

The French have won Davis Cup nine times the latest being in 2001. In the quarterfinals this year they took on Germany and won 4-1. Gasquet beat Florian Mayer and Gael Monfils was too good for Philipp Kohlschreiber. Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the doubles rubber in three sets over Christopher Kas and Philipp Petzschner.

Gael Monfils’ Davis Cup record stands at 5 wins and 2 losses. Tsonga has an amazing Davis Cup record of nine wins and one loss. The French are very lucky to have quirky Michael Llodra in their team. Llodra is a top doubles player but he is also a very handy singles player if needed.

The two teams are captained by two former top players. Spain’s captain is Albert Costa and France’s team will be navigated by Guy Forget.

The tie will take place at Plaza de Toros de los Califas, Corboda, Spain. The first singles rubber will be played at 12.00 local time on Friday.