08 Feb 2004 - Les Arenes, Metz, FRA - Neven Berticevic - FRA v CRO France defeats Croatia in Metz France defeated Croatia in Metz to reach the quarterfinal of the World Group Davis Cup by BNP Paribas with Arnaud Clement the hero. The big, little hero. 可愛的稱呼^^ For the first time in his Davis Cup career, Clement won the tie for his country, and proved to be the backbone of his team, as his captain Guy Forget was saying from the first day. In the first of the reverse rubbers on Sunday, Clement defeated Ivan Ljubicic 62 36 76(3) 64, to take France to a quarter-final tie in Switzerland. "I felt I had the control of the match until the middle of the second set, and then I lost that feeling. But it all came back in the fourth set," said Clement afterwards.Ivan Ljubicic lost serve in the very first game of the match and never recovered. Clement came on strong taking the first four games and first set, but Ljubicic came back strongly in the second. He took an opportunity to break Clement for the first time, as the Frenchman’s service percentage dipped below 50% for the first time. "Yes, you can always play better, but much of it had to do with his game. Clement definitely hit too many lines for my liking, “ said the Croatian. Clement was big when he needed to be, especially when he let Ljubicic back into the match in the third set. Clement was ruising, leading 4-2, 40-0 and serving, only to drop five straight points and his serve. Ljubicic held, the game went into a tiebreak, and that's when it all went wrong for the Croatian no1. "I was really mad losing my serve, but I kept my cool, played a great tiebreak, which proved to be a decider." Clement was right. The French No.1(?) made some spectacular shots in the tiebreak including a running crosscourt forehand that gave him a 4-2 lead. From 4-3, Clement won three straight points and the set and put himself in a great position. "Clement served great for a set and a half. He looked like Pete Sampras, me like David Sanchez on grass. I barely touched his serve for a set and a half, he was hitting aces and winners all over the place," bemoaned the Croatian. One costly mistake by Ljubicic at the beginning of the fourth set sealed the deal. Ljubicic was on his way out, Clement was riding on a cloud. Ljubicic held three game points in the first game of the fourth set, but he missed two smashes and then double faulted to go back to deuce. A forehand pass by Clement, and a forehand error by Ljubicic and the writing was on the wall. Clement held serve without problems for the rest of the match and could have had it easier, but missed two chances to go a double break up in the fifth game. In the end it did not matter. Michael Llodra led the celebrations, champagne was poured all over Clement, who took some time to celebrate with the fans in Metz. ↓其實是第二個 This is his town, Clement won his first Tour title in Metz last year. "That was great, but it cannot compare. This is a totally different feeling. Great feeling. For me, the team, and the fans. Especially since, for the first time, my win gave us a tie". It was a great match. And a great win for Clement. The big little French hero. Nicolas Escude concluded proceedings with a 76(5) 62 victory over Ivo Karlovic, a replacement for Mario Ancic, leaving France 4-1 winners of the tie. http://www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=12780 -- Hate this and I'll love you. --

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