Gasquet Gives France Early Lead

CROATIA 0, FRANCE 1

Venue: Kresimir Cosic Hall, Zadar, CRO (hard – indoor)

Richard Gasquet gave France an early lead in the Davis Cup semi-finals as he defeated Croatia’s #NextGen star Borna Coric 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-1. Marin Cilic will look to level the tie for the hosts when he faces Lucas Pouille in Friday’s second rubber in Zadar.

The 30-year-old Gasquet notched his 12^th Davis Cup singles win as he struck 27 winners and benefitted from 37 unforced errors from the 19-year-old Coric, who is playing in just his eighth Davis Cup tie. The teenager was the hero for his country in July’s quarter-finals, when he defeated Jack Sock over four sets in the deciding fifth rubber to give Croatia victory over the United States.

World No. 17 Gasquet is looking to lead France to its second Davis Cup final in three years. France finished runner-up to Switzerland two years ago, but is a nine-time winner of the ITF men’s team competition, most recently in 2001.