France up 2-0 in Davis Cup semifinal

LYON, France, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Gael Monfils and Michael Llodra each claimed four-set victories Friday, putting France ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five Davis Cup semifinals against Argentina.

Llodra opened the series with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Juan Monaco and Monfils defeated David Nalbandian 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. The series is being played on an indoors hard court in Lyon.

The wins put the French on the verge of locking up a spot in the Davis Cup finals in December. The winner of the Argentina-France series will go against either the Czech Republic or Serbia for the 2010 Davis Cup title.

The French doubles team of Llodra and Arnaud Clement will look to sew up the series Saturday against Argentines Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos.

Sunday's schedule calls for reverse singles with Monfils taking on Monaco first and Llodra again getting the call, this time versus Nalbandian.

Llodra amassed 98 winners, nearly twice the total for Monaco, and lost his serve just twice in the match. He only faced three break-point situations on the day.

Monfils spread five service breaks over the first, third and fourth sets in making the French lead 2-0. He had 59 winners and only 28 unforced errors.