Aussies Take 2-1 Lead; Herbert/Mahut Move France Ahead

BELGIUM 1, AUSTRALIA 2
Brussels, Belgium (Indoor Clay)

John Peers and Jordan Thompson completed a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 rout of Ruben Bemelmans and Arthur De Greef to nudge Australia ahead of Belgium 2-1 in their semi-final tie. Led by captain Lleyton Hewitt, the Aussie contingent are bidding to reach the Davis Cup final for the first time since 2003, when they clinched their 28th crown.

Peers, the No. 2 player in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings, and 23-year-old Thompson were making their doubles debut together. Thompson is undefeated in the team competition, also owning a 3-0 singles record entering the week.

“We had a job to do today and we came out and did it from start to finish,” said Peers. “Playing with Thommo and in front of this crowd, to perform the way we did, is just incredible.”

“It was surprising,” added Thompson. “In Davis Cup doubles you usually see marathon five-setters. We love to see the green and gold [fans]. We couldn’t ask for more.”

FRANCE 2, SERBIA 1
Lille, France – (Outdoor Clay)

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut continued their strong run of form on Saturday in Lille. The Frenchmen streaked past Filip Krajinovic and Nenad Zimonjic 6-1, 6-2 7-6(3) to give Les Bleus a 2-1 lead in their Davis Cup semi-final tie against Serbia.

Herbert and Mahut are coming off a pair of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles in Montreal and Cincinnati and currently sit in fifth position in the Emirates ATP Doubles Race To London. They needed one hour and 48 minutes to dismiss Krajinovic and Zimonjic, improving to 3-1 in Davis Cup rubbers together.

The semi-final tie is a rematch of the 2010 Davis Cup final, which Serbia won. France is attempting to reach the final for the first time since 2014 (l. to Switzerland) and 18th overall.