Davis Cup: USA Held by Colombia, France Through

Giraldo's coregraphy after victory against Querrey

High hopes for the Colombians who leveled the tie against USA at the Davis Cup thanks to an apparently easy win to Santiago Giraldo. This brought the level after defeating Sam Querrey in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 7-5, the victory coming after Alejandro Falla’s loss in front of Mardy Fish, who won some ATP tours this season, especially in the US. Thus, the two countries go head to head in confrontation that counts for the World Cup groups. Giraldo simply dominated Querrey, who couldn’t find the same form he had recently, taking into account that he took the LA ATP tour this August, plus the Memphis, Belgrade and the ATP Queens trophies.

However, the Davis Cup didn’t see him yet in great shape. Giraldo focused and succeeded taking the win on his powerful returns. “I think that my return is the strongest part of my game. I have been working hard on my returns for this tie. I am very happy with how I played today. I never gave many chances to Sam,” this said, while praises from the Colombian Tennis Federation came as just. “I think that there was a letdown after Falla lost. But Santiago got them back up again by playing with a lot of energy and commitment from the first point of the match,” proud Gabriela Sierra, the president of the national body, said. Giraldo looked morelike a lion in a cage, struggling to win every point. He also seemed a bit more aggressive than the American who stuck in his own tactics and under the high pressure coming from the crowd. The meeting takes place in Bogota. Finally, the four-time winner this year acknowledged Giraldo’s better play. “Credit to him for saving those set points in the third. He made big first serves and struck some big forehands,” Querrey, who couldn’t do more than give the sensation of being able to put the third set into tie break, which he didn’t, added.

USA captain Patrick McEnroe, who will soon quit the national team job, also said of the player that he didn’t play his best tennis. “The tactics for Sam were to try and keep the ball in the court. Sam never really got comfortable from the baseline today. And Giraldo came out firing and kept the momentum going,” he said. The only point the US got was brought by Mardy Fish, who needed five sets in order to beat Falla. However, he seemed to be in good form, unlike Querrey who didn’t get any set. According to his saying, Fish claimed that what might have probably disturbed Sam was the altitude. He’s much more used with it, though. “It was a problem to get used to the altitude. And also it was a bit nerves. I was just trying to do anything for a win,” Mardy, who played under a great sunny day, said. This couldn’t see the same captain but happy at the moment. McEnroe praised Mardy’s physical effort in the uneasy win. “I was really happy with his Fish effort today. There were a lot of ups and downs and Mardy’s mental toughness was the key. He had a lot of opportunities that he did not convert, but he hung in there and found a way to win.”

It was 2-1 to Fish as the Colombian came from behind to level after a 6-3 fourth set. However, Fish brought the first point for United States with a 6-4 final set. “I didn’t care if I play defense or offense. I was just trying to get a win for the team,” the American, who won two US ATP tours this year, including Newport and Atlanta, added.

France reaches the Davis Cup final

The French pair formed by Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement defeated Argentina’s Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos double in straight sets. It was the same Llodra, who also won at singles to bring one point for France, that had a solid contribution for team’s victory and progress into the Davis Cup final where France will be expected to face either Serbia or Czech Republic, the score between the two being 2-1 to the Czechs. The French pair ousted the Argentines 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the final they have last won in 1996. “I am very proud, they’re all here together, the seven of them, those who played and those who also contributed to this victory,” France’s captain Forget would say of the team after the historic advance into the final. “There is still a great tie to be played,” he also added. The French double proved to be simply too good for the Argentines as Llodra made a sensational net play, while Clement contributed very well with the returns.

Now, two relaxing games remained to be played on Sunday when Monfils, who also brought one point for the French team, will meet Nalbandian and Llodra Monaco in the same Lyon.11