Gael Monfils rose to the occasion as he upset Roger Federer 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to help France level the Davis Cup final with Switzerland 1-1 on Friday.
After Stan Wawrinka had given the Swiss a 1-0 lead by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, Monfils was at his best against the world No. 2 who has struggled recently with back problems.
Monfils, who had never beaten Federer on clay in four previous encounters, won five games in a row as he whizzed through the first set.
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Struggling with his serve, the Swiss was broken again in the third game of the second set and his French rival showed no sign of weakening, sending his opponent chasing balls left, right and centre.
But this time, roared on by a record 27,432 crowd that were kept quiet during Tsonga’s match, Monfils maintained his grip to break for a 3-2 lead before finishing off the contest on Federer’s serve with a stunning backhand winner down the line.
Switzerland looked as if it was in the driving seat after Wawrinka’s defeat of Tsonga who looked a pale shadow of his normally aggressive self.
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France is looking to win for the 10th time, while Switzerland is seeking its maiden title.