Jeremy Chardy defeated Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 to give France an early lead in the first round of the Davis Cup.
In the second match of the day, Stefan Koubek takes on Gilles Simon.
Chardy, who is replacing Richard Gasquet, dominated the pace of play,hit 14 aces and broke Melzer six times.
Chardy converted his second matchpoint when the Austrian sent a forehand into the net.
“I played very good today. I am happy for me and for the team,” said Chardy.
Chardy broke for 4-2 in the opening set, but Melzer broke straight back. The Frenchman broke again in the 12th game to seal the set.
Melzer was broken in the sixth game of the second set but got the break back when Chardy played an awful game at 5-3. He then made three unforced errors to concede the second set.
Chardy was broken in the 3rd game of the third set to go down 2-1, but he broke back in the following game where Melzer gifted him a double fault.
Melzer dumped a forehand into the net on Chardy’s second match point and the Frenchman secured the win in two hours 23 minutes.
Chardy praised France captain Guy Forget for preparing him to face Melzer.
“Guy gave me the right tactics, so I just had to stay focused,” Chardy said. “He told me to have a good serve and to play aggressively against Jurgen and I managed to do that.”
Source AP/DC Website
AFP PHOTO / SAMUEL KUBANI
