ESPN.com - TENNIS - France routs Belgium 5-0

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Sunday, February 11
France routs Belgium 5-0



GHENT, Belgium -- France completed a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Belgium in their Davis Cup world group first round on Sunday.

Fabrice Santoro overcame Christophe Rochus 6-4, 6-4 to complete the sweep after Arnaud Clement beat Filip Dewulf 6-3, 7-6.

Favorites France had wrapped up the tie on Saturday when the experienced pairing of Cedric Pioline and Fabrice Santoro won the doubles against Christophe Rochus and Tom van Houdt.

France will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals, while Belgium faces a play-off to stay in the top flight.

A single service break earned Clement the first set against Dewulf, ranked 171 in the world, who struggled throughout to match his opponent, the runner-up in last month's Australian Open. In the second, Dewulf found some rhythm and took Clement to a tie-break, which went to the Frenchman 12-10.

 




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