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Monte Carlo to host France v US cup tie


 

Originally published on: 28/02/12 11:09

They came through the daunting prospect of Switzerland on the Fribourg clay with flying colours and now the United States Davis Cup team have been handed another testing clay battle for their quarter-final with France – but in the most idyllic of settings.

France has chosen the Monte Carlo Country Club, the host of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, for their blockbuster last eight clash with Jim Courier’s men in the Davis Cup quarter-finals from April 6-8.

It’s the first time France has ever chosen the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin venue, which, a fortnight later, will host the Masters 1000 event that has been dominated by Rafael Nadal for the last seven years.

It’s a fitting scene for one of the oldest rivalries in the history of Davis Cup. The two nations first met in 1905 and since then have contested 14 meetings, with the US currently holding an 8-7 advantage. Their last clash, in 2008, was won by the Americans on home soil but history will be against them in Monte Carlo since a visiting team has only twice come away with victory.

Guy Forget has six men ranked inside the top 50 to choose from as France target their third consecutive semi-final berth at the Davis Cup. The French will no doubt be careful to avoid complacency on their favoured clay after seeing the Americans come away with a shock 5-0 whitewash of Roger Federer’s Switzerland in the first round.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.