SCHWECHAT, Austria (AP) France has taken a 2-0 lead over Austria in the first round of the Davis Cup behind straight-set victories by Jeremy Chardy and Gilles Simon.
Chardy upset 10th-ranked Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 on Friday, and Simon defeated Austrian veteran Stefan Koubek 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.
Chardy is replacing Richard Gasquet, who pulled out last week with a sore shoulder. France also is without two top injured players - Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau can clinch the best-of-five series for France in Saturday's doubles match against Melzer and Oliver Marach. The series winner advances to the quarterfinals against Croatia or Germany.