France, which leads 2-0 after the victory of Adrian Mannarino (17th in the world) against Tug-Lin Wu (238th in the world), is off to a good start in this Davis Cup qualifying round. The work was done, but nothing was easy for the Frenchman against a Taiwanese whose greatest feat was a victory last year against Alexander Bublik at Indian Wells.
While he seemed to have control of the match after a difficult start in the first game, Mannarino gradually had to endure the high-risk play of his opponent, who began to hit harder and harder while he was down 4-1. Wu first got four break points at 4-2. And once he led a round to nothing, it was he who took control of the exchange. But if there was flashiness, there was also a lot of inconstancy.
Sixth straight Davis Cup victory
At 4-2 in his favor in the second set, the Taiwanese returned his break on a game riddled with faults, and capitulated again at 5-5 against a Frenchman who tightened the game. In his last three service games, Mannarino lined up seven aces. A godsend to conclude this match, and sign his sixth consecutive victory in the Davis Cup.
“It wasn’t easy against an opponent who tried everything and anything,” Mannarino told beIN Sports. Fortunately, I managed to serve well and that helped me make the difference. I put less intensity in the second set, he took advantage of it, but I rectified the situation and it was pretty good. »
It will now be up to the Mahut – Roger-Vasselin pair on Sunday to provide the last decisive point, before the possible last two singles.
