Mission accomplished.
France won their ticket to the group stages of the Davis Cup by overcoming Hungary this weekend (3-2) in the qualifying round in Tatabanya, near Budapest.
Sébastien Grosjean's group nevertheless suffered to get rid of an opponent who was more than affordable on paper.
There was 1-1 on Friday evening after the surprise defeat of Benjamin Bonzi, the best Frenchman at the ATP (45th), against Zsombor Piros (182nd).
For his first tenure, Ugo Humbert had allowed to equalize with authority against Marton Fucsovics.
A decisive fifth man
This Saturday afternoon, the situation almost turned into a fiasco after the setback of the Mahut-Rinderknech pair in doubles.
Adrian Mannarino, preferred to Bonzi, made it possible to offer a decisive third match to Humbert.
Before, like the day before, the 24-year-old Messin did the job and dominated Fabian Marozsan in two sets (6-3, 6-3).
A perfect weekend for the one who was celebrating his first tenure in the selection.
And to think that at the base, he was only supposed to play the role of fifth man…
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With this success, the Blues have validated their ticket for the group stage of the competition which will take place from September 12 to 17.
Twelve teams will participate, including the winner (Canada), the runner-up (Australia) and two teams benefiting from a wild card (Italy and Spain).
The final phase, at the end of which the title will be awarded between eight nations, is scheduled for November 21 to 26 in Malaga (Spain).
RESULTS
Friday, February 3, 2023
Zsombor PIROS (HUN) b.
Benjamin BONZI (FRA)
(7/6 (4), 6/3)
Ugo HUMBERT (FRA)
b.
Marton FUCSOVICS (HUN) (6/3, 6/2)
Saturday, February 4, 2023
VALKUSZ/MAROZSAN (HUN) b.
MAHUT/RINDERKNECH (FRA)
(6/2, 7/6 (4))
Adrian MANNARINO (FRA)
b.
Marton FUCSOVICS (HUN) (7/6 (6); 6/2)
Ugo HUMBERT (FRA)
b.
Fabian MAROZSAN (HUN) (6/3 6/3)