Three nations clinched their Davis Cup World Group Round of 16 ties, with France, Croatia and the Czech Republic pitching 3-0 shutouts on Saturday.
FRANCE - GERMANY 3-0: After being knocked out in the first round last year, France overwhelmed Germany in Toulon, sealing the victory with the unusual partnership of Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra, who took a 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 win over Christopher Kas amd Philipp Kohlschreiber.
“To play with Michael was a dream,” said Benneteau. France will play either Spain or Switzerland in July.
CZECH REPUBLIC - BELGIUM 3-0: Czech leading men Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych came up huge again. After winning their singles matches on Friday, they teamed for a 7-6(0), 6-0, 6-3 win over Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus.
“I still can’t believe how great the guys played this week-end. With a team like this I am confident against any nation,” said Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil.
CROATIA - ECUADOR 3-0: In Varazdin, Croatia’s Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic stopped Giovanni and Nicolas Lapentti 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-5. The Croatian service bombers had also won their singles on Friday.
Croatia team captain Goran Prpic is looking forward to playing archrival Serbia should the tie occur. “A quarterfinal clash at home with Serbia looks on the cards and if we meet them it will be a delicately balanced tie,” he said.