France up 2-0 over Spain in Davis Cup

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France, July 9 (UPI) -- Wins Friday by Gael Monfils and Michael Llodra put France on the verge of eliminating two-time defending champion Spain from this year's Davis Cup tournament.

Monfils battled to a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4 victory over David Ferrer and Llodra followed with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win over Fernando Verdasco for a 2-0 French lead in the best-of-five quarterfinal.

A French win in Saturday's doubles -- in which the French will send Julien Benneteau and Llodra against the Spanish duo of Feliciano Lopez and Verdasco -- or if Monfils or Llodra win one of the reverse singles matches Sunday would put France into the Davis Cup semifinals.

It would also knock out the Spanish, who have won the Davis Cup in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2009.

Llodra had 78 winners against 22 unforced errors and dropped serve just once in beating Verdasco. Monfils seemed in control after winning the first two sets before Ferrer mounted his comeback. Monfils managed to get two breaks in the final set.

The winner of the France-Spain quarterfinal will play the survivor of a series between Argentina and Russia, which were tied 1-1 after Friday's play, in the September Davis Cup semifinals.