FRANKFURT — France progressed to the Davis Cup quarterfinals with a comfortable 3-0 win over Germany following Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut’s doubles victory on Saturday.
The pair defeated Benjamin Becker and Andre Begemann 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to give 2014 runner-up France an unassailable lead in the first round tie.
The French took just 1 hour, 49 minutes to see out the match and the result means only pride is at stake in Sunday’s reverse singles.
On Friday, Gael Monfils defeated German No. 1 Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (4) and Gilles Simon outlasted Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-7 (1), 6-2, 10-8 to put the hosts on the back foot.
The win ensures Germany’s miserable record against its neighbour continues with the last German victory over France going back to 1938.