2010 BNP Paribas Davis Cup: Frenchman Julien Benneteau to miss championship final
Doubles specialist, Julien Benneteau of France retracted from the 2010 BNP Paribas Davis Cup due to a wrist injury sustained at the 2010 U.S. Open. The professional made his debut for France at the Davis Cup this year. Additionally, Benneteau was teamed up
with compatriot Michael Llodra.
Julien stated, "After a last try out this morning my wrist has not sufficiently improved. I am very sad to have to announce that I am pulling out of the final". Benneteau will furthermore be replaced by Arnaud Clement. The professional also missed out on the
Davis Cup semi-final win over Argentina as he picked up the injury at the 2010 U.S. Open playing Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
Due to a knee injury, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will unfortunately have to miss the finals. However, Gael Monfils is set to play singles for France. Amongst Monfils are also fellow countrymen Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon.
Considering the fact that Serbian fans are notably known for violence at sporting events, the security of the French players is a major point of concern. Last month at the Italy-Serbia European Championship qualifier in Genoa was abandoned due to violence caused
by Serbian fans.
The head of the Serbian tennis federation exclaimed that the French players should not fear for their safety during the Davis Cup finals. Slobodan Zivojinovic stated that the hosts have taken absolutely all measures to prevent fan violence as far as the finals
in Belgrade are concerned.
“Belgrade has always been an open city” and that “Australians, Americans and the Czechs were here in the previous rounds, and there were no problems”, added Zivojinovic.
The French team however, is planning on bringing its own security officials to protect Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Michael Llodra and Gilles Simon during the final. As a security measure, the number of tickets to be sold have been limited in the Belgrade
Arena from the capacity of 15,000 to 5,000. Additionally, the Serbian Tennis Federation will distribute the tickets.
Furthermore, the French team will be facing the Serbian team in the Davis Cup finals to be played in the month of December. Earlier, the French team defeated the Argentineans in the semi-finals played in Lyon. The Serbian team made it through upon defeating
the team from the Czech Republic.
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