Australia edges out France in Davis Cup group stage clash

VALENCIA: Australia triumphed over France in a gripping opening-day encounter at the Davis Cup Finals group stage on Tuesday, with Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell securing the decisive point in the doubles match. The Group B showdown in Valencia saw the 28-time Davis Cup champions emerge victorious in a 2-1 win over France.

The tie began with Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis delivering a stellar performance, overcoming Arthur Fils in two tiebreak sets, 7-6(4), 7-6(3). Kokkinakis’ victory set the tone for the Aussies, who were eager to make a strong start after their runner-up finish to Italy last year.

However, France quickly bounced back as Ugo Humbert, the French number one, dominated Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, leveling the tie at 1-1. The stage was then set for a tense doubles decider.

In the decisive match, Ebden and Purcell faced off against the seasoned French duo of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. The Australians secured the win with a hard-fought 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 victory, marking the third consecutive year that Australia has defeated France in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals.

Elsewhere, Canada kicked off their campaign with a commanding performance in Manchester, securing a 3-0 victory over Argentina in Group D. Singles wins from Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime ensured a confident start for the Canadians.

Meanwhile, Germany began their Davis Cup journey in dominant fashion with a 3-0 sweep of Slovakia in Group C, hosted in Zhuhai, China.