Davis Cup: Lucas Pouille gives France 2-0 lead

French number one, Lucas Pouille, outclassed the Spanish player Roberto Bautista Agut to give his side a 2-0 victory in the semi-final of the ongoing Davis Open here on Friday.

Pouille defeated Agut 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a thrilling semi-final clash.

French captain Yannick Noah had, earlier, fielded debutant Benoit Paire against Pablo Carreno Busta to give a winning start to the team against Spain.

Performing as per the expectations, Paire thrashed Busta 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 in a clash that lasted for one-hour-and-54-minute.

In other clashes, Croatia edged past 32-time champions United States in their Davis Cup semi-final match.

In the first clash, Marin Cilic of Croatia got better off Frances Tiafoe as he registered a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(5) win over his American opponent.

Later, Boria Coric defeated Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-3 to give Croatia a winning lead of 2-0 in the match.