Intro:

Gael Monfils wrapped up a convincing 4-1 win for France in their Davis Cup semi-final on Sunday (14th September) against two-time defending champions Czech Republic.

Script:

France ended the two-year dominance of Czech Republic in the Davis Cup with a 4-1 semi-final victory on the clay at Roland Garros.

After France had taken an unassailable 3-0 lead on Saturday, the Czech team were simply trying to salvage some pride on the final day.

And Jiri Vesely did just that with victory over Julien Benneteau in the opening reverse singles.

Despite being ranked 48 places below Benneteau at 77th in the world, Vesely secured Czech Republic's only victory in the best-of-five series with a 6-4, 6-3 consolation win.

The final dead rubber pitched home favourite Gael Monfils against Lukas Rosol.

Monfils appeared below par in the opening set, allowing Rosol to edge ahead by seven games to five.

But Monfils finally gave the French fans something to cheer with a return to form in the final two sets, showing his speed and ability with a number of spectacular lobs, drop shots and even one of his trademark passing shots between the legs.

The Frenchman wrapped up France's 4-1 victory 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 as Rosol finally yielded to the intense pressure from the other side of the net.

France - who won the last of their nine Davis Cup trophies back in 2001 - will play Switzerland in November's final on home soil.