Michael Llodra put the French ahead against Argentina in Lyon with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Juan Monaco. There was more for the home fans to cheer in the second singles match when Gael Monfils followed up with 27 aces in a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over David Nalbandian.
Another French victory in Saturday's doubles, when Llodra and veteran Arnaud Clement are likely to face Argentine pair Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos, would qualify the hosts for the Dec. 3-5 final with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad hereNo.2-ranked Novak Djokovic was a late withdrawal from Serbia's team for the first day's play, saying he was still tired after his run to the U.S. Open final, and his replacement Viktor Troicki lost the opener 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic in Belgrade.
But Janko Tipsarevic hauled Serbia back into contention by beating Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (5).
Monfils, who is undefeated in the Davis Cup this year, won six consecutive games in the last set as he moved France closer to shot at a 10th Davis Cup title and its first since 2001.
"This is a fabulous experience," Monfils said. "I started to play with the France team when I was a 12 or 13-year-old boy and I dreamt about the Davis Cup. Now, doing this in a semifinal... Today I played one of my best three matches this year."
Friday's results were a vindication for France captain Guy Forget, who snubbed former French No. 1 Richard Gasquet to give doubles specialist Llodra his chance.
Nalbandian struggled with Monfils' attacking game and his team now has an uphill task on Saturday.
"Gael served better than I did and it made the difference," Nalbandian said. "I didn't serve well. What disturbs me in his game is mainly his serve. And he is also very sharp when he is attacking."
Tipsarevic's win over Berdych, on the Wimbledon runner-up's 25th birthday, had the 15,000 spectators in the Belgrade Arena on their feet and preserved Serbia's hopes of reaching its first Davis Cup final.
"We are still a very good team even if Djokovic needs to take a day off," Tipsarevic said after his victory. "We are one of the best teams in the world."
Tipsarevic's good returns took the edge from one of Berdych's best weapons, his big serve. The Serb had Berdych in trouble in many of the Czech's service games and broke twice to go two sets up.
A netcord ball gave the No. 7-ranked Berdych a 3-1 lead in the third set. Tipsarevic fired the ball into the roof of the arena and never regained his rhythm, losing the set.
Another netcord made it 3-1 for the Czech in the fourth after Tipsarevic had saved two break points. But this time Tipsarevic stayed focused and broke right back with a tremendous low forehand into the approaching Berdych and went to win the tiebreaker.
"I gave him a lot of easy points and a lot of opportunities on my serve," Berdych said.
Djokovic, who watched the action from Serbia's box, added that he might yet play in the doubles.
"I decided to keep my strength for the last two days," the second-ranked Djokovic said. "If the result after the first day requires it, I might play the doubles on Saturday too.
"But I will surely be ready for Sunday."
There was plenty of Davis Cup action too in the playoffs to stay in the World Group, with the United States tied 1-1 with Colombia, Australia also level 1-1 with Belgium and Israel leading Austria 2-1, having already played the doubles match.
The United States made a good start in Bogota with Mardy Fish defeating Alejandro Falla 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
However, Santiago Giraldo defeated Sam Querrey 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 to make it all-square after the first day.
Colombia is expected to field the doubles team of Robert Farah and Carlos Salamanca on Saturday. The Americans have announced they will counter with Ryan Harrison and John Isner, although Fish said after his singles victory that he would be ready to step in.
The United States has dropped out of the World Group only once since it began in 1981 and has won the Davis Cup 32 times, more than any other nation. Colombia is trying to reach the World Group for the first time.
Elsewhere in the World Group playoffs, it was Germany 2, South Africa 0; Sweden 1, Italy 1; India 0, Brazil 2; Kazakhstan 2, Switzerland 0; and Romania 2, Ecuador 0.
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