PARIS (AP) -- France made big steps towards its first Davis Cup final since 2010 after Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gave the hosts a 2-0 lead over two-time defending champion Czech Republic in the semifinals on Friday.
Opening on Roland Garros center court, Gasquet stormed to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over Tomas Berdych, then France's No. 1 player, Tsonga, proved too strong for Lukas Rosol, dispatching him 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in 91 minutes.
Serving impeccably and limiting his mistakes to 12 unforced errors on the red clay, Gasquet justified his selection over Gael Monfils.
''This is one of my best wins ever,'' said Gasquet, who kneeled on the court after match point. ''The atmosphere was great, this is the Davis Cup, at Roland Garros, and I beat a top player.''
Spurred on by the vocal French fans on a sunny morning, Gasquet quickly found a good rhythm and lost only five points on his serve in the first set, breaking in the fourth game after the sixth-ranked Berdych missed three consecutive shots.
Struggling with his forehand, Berdych had 38 unforced errors. The former Wimbledon runner-up was never a threat and admitted that he played his worst Davis Cup match.
''My body is not ready for this. I needed more time to be fit. I need more time to be better prepared,'' said Berdych, who reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals last week. ''But this tie is not over and I will keep fighting to be helpful for the team.''
Gasquet, who has been hampered by injuries this season, won the first set with a backhand down the line then jumped to 3-0 in the second as Berdych continued to hit erratic shots. The hard-hitting Czech managed to break Gasquet in the next game but his recovery was short-lived.
The French No. 2 broke again early in the third set then held his serve for 5-3 and closed out the match when Berdych double-faulted.
Gasquet was not expected to play in the singles, but Monfils told France captain Arnaud Clement he was still jet-lagged and struggling to adapt to clay after losing in the quarterfinals at Flushing Measdows.
''I quickly found out this week that I was going to play the opening game because Gael was tired,'' 21st-rankd Gasquet said. ''And I could not have dreamt of a better start.''
With their 12-tie winning streak at risk, the Czechs should win Saturday's doubles to keep alive the chance of reaching a third straight final. The doubles pits French duo Julien Benneteau and Monfils against Radek Stepanek and Jiri Vesely.
If France wins this weekend, it will play at Italy or host Switzerland in the final.