France’s Noah shuffles roster for Davis finals
LILLE, France — France captain Yannick Noah surprisingly cut Nicolas Mahut from his squad to face Belgium in the Davis Cup finals this weekend and declined to elaborate on his decision.
Noah, who has captained France to victory twice, instead included Richard Gasquet in his four-man team at Thursday’s draw.
Mahut was expected to play doubles after training the whole week with Julien Benneteau, who also was not selected to the squad.
“I don’t want to speak about the players who are not there,” Noah said when asked to explain his decision. “It does not mean I don’t think about them. Now we have a goal to achieve, the final starts tomorrow. I have four players ready to do their best and defend our colors.”
Mahut played with Pierre-Hugues Herbert at the ATP Finals in London last week but the pair had to withdraw because of Herbert’s lower back pain. They later joined their France teammates for a Davis Cup training camp.
Herbert said he has recovered from his back problem, and Noah stressed that Gasquet is in “excellent” form after a season marred by injuries.
David Goffin will open play for Belgium against Lucas Pouille on Friday, and Steve Darcis will follow against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Gasquet and Herbert, who never have played together in an official competition, are set to meet Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore in Saturday’s doubles.
“The first time I played for France in Davis Cup it was against the best pair in the world. I played with Francois Jauffret and we won,” Noah said. “There is always a first time for everything.”
Captains have until one hour before matches to change their lineup, and Tsonga said he will be ready to play three days in a row if Noah asks him to take part in the doubles at the last minute.
Nine-time champion France lost its three previous finals, in 2002, 2010 and 2014.