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Davis Cup 2018: Semi-Final Preview

By Toby Oliver

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 19: Marin Cilic of Croatia returns a shot to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during the ATP Rio Open 2018 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 19, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 19: Marin Cilic of Croatia returns a shot to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during the ATP Rio Open 2018 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 19, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /
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Lucas Pouille
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – MARCH 02: Lucas Pouille of France returns a shot during his semi final match against Filip Krajinovic of Serbia on day five of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at the Dubai Duty Free Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /

Davis Cup: France vs Spain

The toughest tie to call, France host Spain Stade Pierre Mauroy where they won the competition last year. This will be France’s third semi-final in three years, whereas it’s Spain’s first since 2012.

The team’s are very evenly matched with Rafael Nadal withdrawing due to the injury he suffered in the US Open semi-final. The first singles match will see debutant Benoit Paire take on Pablo Carreno Busta and Lucas Pouille face Roberto Bautista Agut. The doubles looks in the balance too as Nicolas Mahut and the soon to be retiring Julien Bennetau will play Feliciano Lopez and Marcel Granollers.

Fielding Paire instead on Gasquet is an interesting decision by Yannick Noah because Gasquet is a veteran of Davis Cup ties, whereas the often unpredictable Paire is a debutant. The 29-year-old has had an indifferent year, so it will be a big test for him to prove to his captain that he was right to select him.

It will also be an emotional tie for Bennetau as it could be his last Davis Cup tie. The doubles will be crucial for France as Lopez and Granollers are both highly accomplished doubles players.

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