MELBOURNE, Australia(AP) A strong showing at the Australian Open has France's men believing they ready to end years of frustration.
The tournament opened with five Frenchmen in the top 30 - including last year's runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - and one qualifier in the running. Three remain in the final 16 - one more than the United States - and they believe they have a strong shot at the title.
It's time for us,'' sixth-seeded Gilles Simon said Saturday after he advanced to the fourth round.If it's not now, it's never for us.''
Except for one point, the French could have matched their best-ever representation in the fourth round at an Australian Open.
No. 24 Richard Gasquet held a match point in the third set before losing a five-setter Saturday to No. 13 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile that took more than four hours to finish.
Tennis has its origins in France and remains wildly popular there. The French dominated international men's tennis in the 1920s but have not won an Australian Open since Jean Borotra - one of the so-called four ``Musketeers'' - in 1928.
Their other Grand Slam wins are also distant memories - Roland Garros in 1983 (Yannick Noah), Wimbledon in 1946 (Yvon Petra) and the U.S. Open in 1928 (Henri Cochet).
But now, with a half-dozen powerful young players, all with dynamic styles, Frenchmen may be entering a new era of ascendancy.
Tsonga came out of relative obscurity last year to defeat Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal en route to the finals, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. His performance spurred a burst of success from other French players who moved up the rankings in 2008.
Of the remaining French contenders at Melbourne Park, Tsonga is seeded No. 5, Simon at 6 and Gael Monfils 12.
No. 28 Paul-Henri Mathieu and qualifier Sebastien de Chaunac fell out in the second round.
The Frenchmen, who have played and practiced together for years, were inspired by Tsonga's near-miss.
Jo reached the final last year, and it was really good for all of us,'' Simon said.We know that we are all very good players, but there is not one better than the others. And to see him reach the final, it was really, really good for us and for our confidence. Finally, we just saw that we were able to do it.''
So strong is their companionship that they believe each has a chance.
All three can win the tournament,'' Gasquet said.They are playing the same game. They are all playing very good.''
Tsonga said there was no rivalry and that he'd be happy if any of them won.
I think for us it's good if one Frenchman can win a Grand Slam,'' he said.Of course, I want to win a Grand Slam. But if Richard or Gael or Gilles win a Grand Slam, I will be happy for them and it will be good for the French tennis.''
Also in the men's fourth round are three Spaniards - led by top-ranked Rafael Nadal - and two Americans, seventh-seeded Andy Roddick and No. 9 James Blake.
Two French women have advanced to the fourth round - 15th-seeded Alize Cornet and No. 16 Marion Bartoli. Amelie Mauresmo, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006 while rising to the top ranking - lost in the third round Saturday.