U.S. def. FRANCE, 3-2

Written by: Staff on 8th April 2012

U.S. def. FRANCE, 3-2 |

The United States advances to the 2012 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals where they will face Spain, Sept. 14-16 (the week after the US Open). It will be the third straight match on the road this year for the U.S. and the seventh time in the past eight matches that the U.S. is away.

John Isner clinched the match defeating world No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – his second win over a Top 10 player this year in Davis Cup. Isner defeated No. 2 Roger Federer on the opening day of the United States’ first round win at Switzerland.

This is the first time the U.S. Davis Cup Team won two clay court matches in the same year since 1995 (quarterfinals at Italy and final at Russia). Since Davis Cup adopted its current World Group format in 1981, the United States has never played three matches on clay in the same year.

The United States Davis Cup Team has now won four straight matches on clay – its longest winning streak on dirt since they won 9 matches from 1988 – 2000. The streak started with a win over Peru in the semifinals of the American Zone, Group I and ended with a loss in the 2000 World Group semifinals in Spain. The streak included a win over Australia in the 1990 Davis Cup Final at home in St. Petersburg, Fla. (the only home clay court match during that streak) and a win in the 1995 final over Russia in Moscow.

DAY/LOCAL TIME MATCH DETAILS/PAIRING

Friday, 12 p.m.

Singles A: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d. Ryan Harrison (USA) 75 62 26 62

Singles B: John Isner (USA) d. Gilles Simon (FRA) 63 62 75

Saturday, 2 p.m. Doubles : Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA)

d. Julien Benneteau/Michael Llodra (FRA) 64 64 76(4)

Sunday, 11 a.m. Singles C: Isner (USA) d. Tsonga (FRA) 63 76(4) 57 63

followed by Singles D: Simon (FRA) d. Harrison (USA) 62 63

Topics: Davis Cup