France shocks Aussies

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Jan 1, 2002

France gained revenge with an upset win over Australia in the Davis Cup final this year. The last occasion the two teams met, it was Australia who came up with the upset beating France at home on their favoured surface of clay.

Two-time former US Open champion Patrick Rafter didn't get the send off from tennis he wanted, with Australia falling at the final hurdle in the decisive 5th rubber. Part of the reason for this was that Rafter was unable to play in that rubber.

What on earth was it that came over Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald? In the full knowledge that Rafter had only 1 match left in him, he put Rafter into the doubles match with Hewitt in a gamble that they would defeat the more experienced French doubles team. Rafter and Hewitt lost, and the result made worse by the fact that Rafter was unable to play his singles rubber on the final day. Journeyman Wayne Arthurs took his place, and was duly beaten by Nicholas Escude in 4 sets, sealing victory for his team.

Arthurs would have been much better employed in the doubles match with top ranked doubles expert Todd Woodbridge. Arthurs' great attacking style and swinging left-handed serve is perfectly suited to doubles. Playing with Woodbridge opponents would face a team not dissimilar to the renowned 'Woodies'. Arthurs was overmatched in the singles by contrast, where his inexperience and weakness off the ground were exposed.

The Australian team management can't take all of the blame for the shock loss. Lleyton Hewitt lost the crucial opening singles rubber in 5 sets to Escude. He partly made up for this with a straight sets thrashing of French number 1 Sebastian Grojean, but one still would have expected better from the current ATP world champion.

Credit must be given to the French team. They played with great tenacity and panache to beat their highly favoured opponents, against a partisan crowd.

Nicholas Escude deserves particular credit, remaining unbeaten in Davis Cup singles matches throughout the final.

The final scores were:

Rubber 1:

Nicholas Escude b. Llyeton Hewitt 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

Rubber 2:

Patrick Rafter b. Sebastian Grojean 6-3, 7-6 (6), 7-5

Rubber 3:

Cedric Pioline & Fabrice Santoro b. Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-1

Rubber 4:

Lleyton Hewitt b. Sebastian Grojean 6-3 6-2 6-3

Rubber 5:

Nicholas Escude b. Wayne Arthurs 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3

Final result: France wins 3-2

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