Until very recently I thought a honey badger was a mythical creature that Snoo Foo had invented in order to capture Ferru's particular qualities of tanned, snuffly adorableness. But then until I was 20 I didn't realise leprosy was a real disease either.

Great pass from La Monf. He's so up for it.

Tipsy hits a wonderful stab BH drop volley winner game point
Monfils slips and regains his balance and hits the DTL winner deuce
powerful shot by Tipsy forces an error game point
BH DTL winner on the return deuce
FH long by Tipsy break point
DF
game to France 1-0

ouch. DF to give France the break at the start of the 3rd set.

I'm feeling badly for Tipsy now..

no prob Master Ace

Monfils stalling, waiting for the crowd to settle, gets booed

MA: we've got some folk on the french bench dressed up in full chicken costume. Not sure what it means but it's funny.

Monfils serving 1-0
big serve 15-0
ace 30-0
ace 40-0
ace
game to Bambi 2-0

commie making a good point that this doesn't change the complexion of the tie too much. one would expect the countries to split today's matches anyway..

Annie,
That is the French being unique as usual. See Monfils is going to give France the lead unless Tipsarevic comes up with a miracle. Djokovic will be under the spotlight to draw Serbia even going to the doubles.

Annie, I was wondering that myself -- le coq gaulois? and do they have mud on their feathers?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_rooster

Yello Fuzzy,
How is the court playing? Is it a slow hardcourt?

T serving
winner by Tipsy 15-0
2nd serve Tipsy goes DTL misses wide 15-15
2nd serve Tipsys FH CC goes into the net 15-30
2nd serve inside out FH goes wide 15-40
2nd serve big FH by Monfils draws an error
game to France 3-0

either that or it's some promotional stunt for a Belgrade fast food restaurant.

Tipsarevich is really playing best of times/worst of times tennis.

Master Ace
earlier the commies were saying the court was playing a bit quicker than it was during the practice sessions, with the extra heat in the stadium caused by all the bodies in the stands, but it seems like a medium to fast court to me

Monfils is still serving well wins that game easily

"I'm feeling badly for Tipsy now.."

+1
maybe Serbia should have went with Viktor after all...

I'm slightly deflated - but this always seemed the most frazzle-making match.

The French stream referred to the first break point in this 3rd set as the "balle de match". Premature, sure, but perhaps correct. :(

looking good for France right now ! Monfils can sometimes be irritating when he just push the ball over the net, but Tipsarevic looks really tense !

It will soon be 1 point for France !

This match is so over!

Holds2Love,
Indeed "le coq gaulois."

0-4
Tipsy serving, unlucky netcord for Monfils sends his sure winner on the pass out 15-0
nice volley by Tipsy 30-0
error by Tipsy 30-15
2nd serve Tipsy misses another fairly easy volley 30-30
2nd serve a wild FH way out by Tipsy break point
short return, Tipsy is in, gets the forced error from Monfils deuce
2nd serve a lazy FH by Tipsy goes long break point
2nd serve BH DTL winner on the pass by Monfils
game to France 5-0

H2L: I've had Rossignol skis and their symbol is a rooster, but these guys are chickens! big difference, no? maybe they couldn't find rooster costumes and this is the best they could come up with?

Gael is having a great end of year. happy for him. maybe he's going to mature as a player and finally fulfill all that amazing potential.

Davis Cup Final - LIVE on Tennis Channel

France leads tie 1-0 over Serbia (9 AM Sat - 7 AM Sun)
Gael Monfils defeated Janko Tipsarevic 6-1,7-6(4),6-0
Novak Djokovic vs Gilles Simon
Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic vs Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils
Janko Tipsarevic vs Gilles Simon

Congrats Gael. Beautiful match. Now I want Nole to win his...let's keep this interesting.

France serving for the match 5-0
ace 15-0
2nd serve Tipsy gambles on the angled BH CC, it goes wide 30-0
Monfils scrambling, makes Tipsy go for too much 40-0
2nd serve volley winner by Monfils
match to France 6-1,7-6,6-0

great composure and focus by Monfils

Great performance by Monfils under pressure. I always seem to be either wildly overestimating or desperately underestimating him.

Poor Tipsy. That can't feel good.

Drat ... a bagel. Congrats to Gael and France.

Commies to Tipsy and Serbia.

Okay, one point for France. I can handle that. Hopefully Janko can win a live fifth rubber again, to be the biggest hero of all.

Congrats to Gael and commisserations to Tipsy. Ouch that last set.

I really hope next match lives up to its potential.

Djoker has to come out and get the crowd back in it...that was a painful drubbing
the commies kept saying it would be hard for Tipsy to play solid tennis after not playing for the past month

hi sokol, my commies discussed that earlier. one said in his opinion Troicki wouldn't have brought anything different and that the real problem, in his view, is not playing for a month before.

Think Djokovich is going to want to make a big statement here?

lol, yellow fuzzy, I guess there's an echo in here. :)

love to see the bromance between teammates after a nice win

Holds2Love
I prefer to see it as great minds thinking alike lol

"one said in his opinion Troicki wouldn't have brought anything different and that the real problem, in his view, is not playing for a month before."

Holds2Love, maybe that's true, but Troicki have been playing pretty good lately, and Janko had some injury not long ago, but I guess the Serbian captain have seen both guys in practice and made his choice. It's going to be interesting who'll he play on Sunday.

"Think Djokovich is going to want to make a big statement here?"

oh yes, he is and I hope he does. Gael made a pretty big statement himself by giving breadstick and a bagel, Novak needs to answer it...

btw, it's going to be heartbreaking for Novak if they lose in front of the home crowd. I hope it won't happen tough...
Ajde!

yes, yello fuzzy, that's it. :)

"tough"="though"

Is anyone else as surprised as I am by the large number of French supporters in the stands and their loud support? I hope that this means that the Serbian hotel industry, at least, is having an excellent few days. I woke at 8:15, turned on the TV in my bedroom, and went to the kitchen to get some coffee etc. And the cheers etc coming from the TV had me thinking that the home team was winning the first set. But when I finally looked at the TV, France was up 5-1!

OK, now it's up to Nole against Jackie's guy! :-)

sokol: "Gael made a pretty big statement himself by giving breadstick and a bagel, Novak needs to answer it..." do you suppose French baked goods taste any better? I doubt Tipsarevich would say he enjoyed those patisseries.

Djokovich in an earlier interview: "we are all in good shape physically and mentally... this is not about the individual effort...it's a team effort...he's always a tricky opponent to play against, on any surface... whoever you play in the finals you can't underestimate the opponent..." But I would be shocked if he doesn't take this.

though I only saw a bit of the third set , I am totally impressed with Monfils' play. Seems he found the right balance of offense /defense today. I wish he could play as well for himself as he does for his country. He certainly brings all the right things to the Davis cup competition. He looked totally focused and "on" today.

sorry for Tipsarevic to lose so badly in front of the home crowd. To be honest , the score in the third set surprised me. I guess I have only seen Tipsy when he is playing out of his mind , like that great match against Federer , and the defeats of Roddick at Wimby and US Open. I have never seen him just lose so meekly. I realize that Monfils had a lot to do with it - but there at the end , he just seemed to run out of gas and accept the inevitable. And I did not expect that at all . Hope he can play better in his next match .

although I still want the French to win
Allez, Gilles !

I Love the challenge during the tiebreak ! It turned the tide for Monfils who was struggling until then.
I'm sad i won't be able to see Simon vs Djokovic.

And good job by the french supporters in Belgrade, they really were behind our guy !

Enric Molina the chair umpire. Simon won the toss, but couldn't hear his choice.

Hi beth! Any updates about Gasquet's coaching situation in 2011?
Or is he gonna work again with Eric Deblicker on a permanent basis?

My friend Zvonko tweeted that he's just arrived at the Arena, straight from the airport. Hope he brought a big bag of good luck and good cheer.

Serbia is really inexpensive for people who use Euros and dollars, so no, I'm not surprised, Ruth, at the number of French supporters who took a weekend break there. It's ideal for Xmas shopping!

"I always seem to be either wildly overestimating or desperately underestimating him."

He he. Well said, G. Might be a common issue among fans. :)

Feel bad for Tipsy, getting smoked at home. But well done, Gael, in a tough environment. Now come on, Nole, do this!!

"But well done, Gael, in a tough environment."
+1.
Very unexpected. Gael-Novak could be very good, if it turns out to be a live rubber.

Hi, Arun !
Nope , have not heard anything other than the group is looking for someone
but Deblicker does seem to be ever present in his camp
much like a loving grandpa - Richard always seems to gravitate back to him

Thanks, beth.

Back again. Allez, Gilles 1-0. Where is Jackie?

Novak looking good.

Here. :)

ALLEZ!

Good girl, Jackie. I though you had to babysit Timothée. It would have been very stressing for you, I guess.

Simon hitting well from the baseline in that game. Great anticipation on the 30-15 point. He holds, 2-1 on serve.

2-1 France. Novak to serve.

Is it new this year to use Hawkeye in DC?

Not sure I could babysit Timmy. Would just be a painful reminder of all I could've had with Gilles. ;)

He doesn't *really* have a chance here, does he? Just hoping he doesn't get blown out. Fortunately I like Nole, so I'll be okay with the end result...

Aw, I'm rooting against Jackie's man. That's painful. :(

I hope Gilles plays well, Jax. How's that? :)

Arun!!! Best day of the week, my friend. At least when it gets closer to late afternoon. :) Hope you are well.

Ross, your nick is even more humorous today. :)

Works for me, Sherlockheed Martin. :)

I'll be proud of him for just hanging tough. And I don't envy Nole, what with all that pressure. Hoping they both play their guts out.

Ajde, Novak!!!

I don't understand why all the commentators thought this would be a Serb blowout. I'd be shocked if Djokovic lost either of his matches (though it's DC, so anything can happen), but that doesn't preclude the possibility of the French winning 3-2.

Allez-y mon fils, Monfils!

No clear answer online, except that they didn't have it for US-France in 2008.

They keep slipping these things by me.

Hey, Sherlock! How are you? I bet you were not a happy man watching the Heat being too hot for the Cavaliers. :)
Yep, nothing beats Friday.

Mystery to me too, c1. It's plain to me that France have far greater strength in depth. Serbia are the underdogs as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, Jackie. You deserve soooo much better. Think of all those escargots...

Interesting match.

4-3. On serve still.

Look at this crew we have gathered here. Just like old times. :)

g and c1, don't get my hopes up!

crazyone - I didn't understand the predictions, either. I think it's just down to the fact that sports commentators like a heartwarming story - you know, the Cinderella story. Even American commentators got emotional when France won in 1992 over the US.

Annie - you are so right about the TC commies...I don't recognize them either.

Nervous play from Novak might let Gilles of the hook.

Or not.

zenggi, totally. I've moved on to greener pastures.

Still want him to win, though. ;)

I'm on your (and Gilles) side, Jackie. I want for France to win the DC for the 10th time. Why not?

" I bet you were not a happy man watching the Heat being too hot for the Cavaliers."

I'm already trying to forget it happened, Arun. :) But at least I didn't have to spend all evening watching, it was over so early.

BET365 is taking wagers on "Troicki v. Clement" on Sunday. huh?

4th (?) BP for Djokovich

okay, now the "receive first" tactic finally worked.

TOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

"BET365 is taking wagers on "Troicki v. Clement" on Sunday. huh?"
Looking at Forget's decision-making skill, I wouldn't completely rule it out, even if it's a live rubber.

It's like watching themselves in a mirror, isn't it?

And Novaks break at last. Allez, Gilles.

what a long game !
and Djokovic finally wins it
pulling Gilles into the net clearly is a tactic that is gonna work for Nole

crazyone: long time no see! lovely to see you here. how have you been?

Now Gilles with the BP

For Fed AND Nadal fans:
http://tinyurl.com/2eqp9fo

but not to be... Djokovich converts. 3-5 on Simon's serve.

beth - agree about the net play- not sure why Novak hasn't used it more. Lots of UFEs from Novak- nervous, and who can blame him, what with the weight of national as well as personal expectations, on him.

That put away that Gilles failed to put away on game pt. really came back to bite him.

Ahhh, I wish I could watch! And my SB is so. slow.

Good tennis so far? Or nervy?

And Gilles' first serve and set is gone. 21 - 15 Winners-UFE's Djokovic, 6 - 9 for Simon.

Kudos to Novak so far.

jackie - it was pretty nervy tennis until Nole got the break
Now he is firing on all cylinders , (sadly for Gilles)

Hopefully he can regroup

Jackie,
Time to arrange that cupboard you wanted to do for ages. I hope Guy gives Gilles a plan B for the rest of the match.

Jackie - agree with beth. I think if Gilles could have held in that long game, the pressure would have really been on Novak,,,but now he seems to be playing a lot less tentatively and has cut back on UFEs. Still, only second set...will have to see how the match goes as it gets later.

And Gilles holds to love. Jackie, hope. 1-1.

nole seems to be flowing much better now. we'll see if gilles regroups in the second set.

funny, one great player on a team doesn't mean they're the favourite, just means there's extra pressure on that one player.

i'd prefer a team of solid lower ranked players.

Thanks, beth, zenggi, CL. :)

zenggi, fortunately I'm at work so distractions are aplenty. And more painful than watching Gilles lose, sadly.

At least we know the boy will never give up.

does look like Gilles has regrouped
so on we go

He is a little retriever , isn't he ?
I know if Tim were here , he would be making remarks about moonpies

Djokovich with the break, he is serving lights out atm. 3-1

jb: I think the other factor playing into "favourite" predictions is the "home court advantage" - which can either also translate into extra pressure, or elevate a tie into the mythic: France winning in Paris, Croatia winning in Zagreb, etc.....

teams of solid lower ranked players - CZE comes to mind - do well in DC, but rarely win it, it seems. Except maybe Croatia, Ljubicic wasn't very highly ranked until the year afterwards.

uh-oh
early break for Nole
not looking good for the scrappy little visitor right now

still not sure that anyone the French put on the court today , short of Tsonga , could keep up with this on form version of Djokovic

but , as they say , it ain' t over til it's over - so Gilles has got to keep trying

geez I step out for a minute and Novak is almost up 2 sets....

beth, it's true - especially in DC, where anything, including miracles, can happen.

About 45 minutes for the first set? Is that enough over 3 or even 5 sets for the tire-Nole-out-for-Sunday theory to take hold -- 2 days from today? Probably not -- not if what we've been learning about tiredness vis a vis professional tennis players is accurate.

Sorry, couldn't resist that! (Well, not really sorry.) ;-)

HA, Ruth. Well played. :)

Well, that was fun while it lasted.