Richard Gasquet justified France captain Arnaud Clement’s faith with a crushing defeat of Czech Tomas Berdych as the hosts made a flying start in their bid to reach the Davis Cup final for the first time since 2010 yesterday.
Roger Federer overcame some tough early resistance from Simone Bolelli and Stanislas Wawrinka eased past Fabio Fognini as Switzerland raced 2-0 ahead in the other semi-final.
Gasquet, preferred to Gael Monfils for the second singles berth, played some sublime tennis to subdue the world no.6 6-3 6-2 6-3 at a sun-baked Roland Garros before Jo-Wilfried Tsonga thrashed Lukas Rosol 6-2 6-2 6-3 to give Les Bleus a commanding 2-0 semi-final lead against the champions.
Berdych, who was playing his US Open quarter-final eight days ago, was never in contention against the inspired Gasquet.
In-form Monfils also reached the US Open quarter-finals last week after crushing Gasquet in the third round.
“I knew quite early, on Monday or Tuesday, that I would be playing. Gael was quite tired,” Gasquet said.
“I played solidly. It was important to take the first set. I broke at the right time in all three sets.”
Not over perhaps, but the Czechs’ hopes of winning the trophy for a third consecutive year are hanging by a thread going into today’s doubles rubber.
Rosol, who won the Winston Salem tournament last month and has enjoyed a solid year, could not compete with Tsonga who was injured the last time France reached the final.
Clement now faces a puzzle to pick the players for the doubles this afternoon.
Monfils is scheduled to play with Julien Benneteau against Radek Stepanek and Jiri Vesely but Tsonga and Gasquet’s performances could prompt the French captain to change his mind.
Federer, bidding to add to his substantial collection of honours by steering the Alpine nation to a first Davis Cup triumph, delighted a capacity crowd in the Palexpo Arena with a 7-6 6-4 6-4 victory.
“Margins were small in the first set,” Federer said.
“In the second set I was finally able to get the break and that broke the deadlock for me a little bit. I was able to play with the lead which is always easier.”
Wawrinka made light work of world number 17 Fognini and despatched the Italian 6-2 6-3 6-2 in one hour 30 minutes.
After struggling to rediscover the early-season form that won him the Australian Open title, Wawrinka has spoken of his desire to win the Davis Cup this year and he showed his intent yesterday by firing 16 aces and 37 winners past Fognini.