Mannarino earns injury-hit France quarters spot

HoldersFrance qualified for the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup when stand-inplayer Adrian Mannarino earned them a 3-1 unassailable lead against theNetherlands yesterday despite Les Bleus being without their two bestplayers because of injuries.Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouilleboth withdrew injured and France were trailing 1-0 after the openingsingles on Friday when Mannarino, who was called up at the last minute,lost to Thiemo De Bakker in Albertville.However Richard Gasquetlevelled with a commanding win against Robin Haase before Nicolas Mahutand Pierre-Hughes Herbert won Saturday’s doubles.Mannarino came backfrom a set down against Haase to clinch the decisive point with a 4-6,7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-7 (2), 7-5 victory yesterday to set up a last-eight tiewith Italy, victors over Japan in Morioka.France were joined in thelast eight by Spain after they beat Britain 3-1 in Marbella despiteCameron Norrie’s best efforts against Albert Ramos-Vinas in a 7-6 (4),2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 defeat for the world number 114.Norrie had beatenworld number 23 Roberto Bautista-Agut in the opening singles on Fridaybut Spain were a cut above their opponents as they set up aquarter-final meeting with Germany, who defeated Australia 3-1, inApril.“I can’t speak highly enough of what Cam has done all weekend,” Britain’s captain Leon Smith said.“Peoplemight have thought Friday was a one-off but he did it again againstanother high-quality player. He pushed him really close and I’m reallyproud of him.”Without Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, Switzerlandwere eliminated by Kazakhstan while Serbia, missing the injured NovakDjokovic, were knocked out by the United States.Kazakhstan will nowface Croatia and the US will take on Belgium, who beat Hungary withDavid Goffin winning both his singles matches in Liege.