Saturday, 30 November, 2002, 16:58 GMT
France win epic doubles
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/2530967.stm

Kafelnikov and Safin must lift themselves on Sunday

F Santoro/N Escude bt Y Kafelnikov/M Safin
6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-4
Fabrice Santoro and Nicolas Escude put France within a
point of retaining the Davis Cup by claiming the doubles
in front of a raucous Paris crowd.

Umpire Mike Morrissey had to call for quiet again and
again as the French came back from two sets to one down
and a break down at the start of the fourth set against
Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin.

"This is an extraordinary moment, there was so much emotion
here," said Santoro.

"We had to play at 150% to win."

Kafelnikov and Safin must now lift themselves for their
third game in three days, and both must win if Russia are to
claim the Davis Cup for the first time in their history.

Santoro and Escude had the advantage of being fresh having
sat out Friday's singles, and they were the quickest out of
the blocks.

Kafelnikov was overwhelmed by Sebastien Grosjean on Friday,
and he began the match as if he was still shell-shocked.

He lost his first service game to love, and that was enough
to give France the first set 6-3.

Safin on the other hand was untouchable on serve, and he
carried Russia's hopes until Kafelnikov lifted his game in
the second set.

Kafelnikov put away a beautiful low volley to save breakpoint
at 1-2, and when the Russians had breakpoint in the next game,
it was he who put away the winner to take the advantage.

The single break gave Russia the second set, and though
Kafelnikov was again broken at the start of the third, Santoro
was broken twice as the French surrendered the set.

Escude was showing signs of discomfort, and after an injury
break he returned with a strapping on his injured back.

And he immediately surrendered his serve to put Russia in
touching distance of victory.

But the French showed their resilience, and Kafelnikov and
Safin, for the first time in the match, were broken to send
the match into a fifth set.

Santoro was playing inspired tennis by this stage, and one
break was again enough as the French wrapped up an epic comeback
by claiming the fifth set 6-4.