Henri Leconte's unexpected heroics continued Saturday, carrying France past the United States in doubles and moving the French team to the brink of its first Davis Cup title in 59 years.
Still riding the emotional high of his opening-day upset of Pete Sampras in singles, the fired-up Leconte played another fist-pumping, spectacular match, teaming with Guy Forget to beat the veteran American duo of Ken Flach and Robert Seguso.The 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory gave France a 2-1 lead, with the winner of the best-of-5 competition to be decided in Sunday's two singles.
France, which last won the Davis Cup in 1932, can clinch if Forget beats Sampras in Sunday's first match. If Sampras wins, the outcome will rest on the final match between Andre Agassi and Leconte.
"There's still one to go," French captain Yannick Noah said. "This is great, but tomorrow will be even greater."
It will be fitting if the last word belongs to Leconte, whose career was in jeopardy after back surgery in July. Leconte, mired at No. 159 in the world rankings, was not expected to play the best tennis of his career against the defending champion Americans.
But the 28-year-old left-hander did just that Friday in demolishing Sampras, the hottest player in the world, in straight sets, tying the score 1-1 following Agassi's victory over Forget.
His singles victory made him an instant national hero, with the sports daily L'Equipe running a huge front-page photo of Leconte with the headline "Geant!" (Giant). "Thank you, Henri," the paper said. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."
He repeatedly thrilled the sellout crowd of 8,300. Waving flags, stomping their feet and chanting "Henri! Henri!" the French showed their adoration for a man whom they had occasionally jeered in the past.
Forget played well, too, but it was Leconte who was the inspirational force. After nearly every winning point, he pumped his fists, shouted and offered encouragement to Forget.
"Leconte was still riding the emotion from yesterday," Flach said. "He put a lot of pressure on us with his return and serve. The emotion was so high for them it was difficult to overcome."