Netherlands leads Davis Cup-holder France 1-0

ALBERTVILLE, France (AP) Defending champion France lost the opening singles to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup World Group on Friday when Adrian Mannarino was upset in straight sets by a player more than 300 places below him in the rankings.

Thiemo de Bakker, ranked 369th, beat Mannarino 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3.

Richard Gasquet will try to level the tie when he plays Robin Haase later.

Mannarino was a late replacement for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who withdrew with a knee injury shortly before the draw on Thursday.

Lucas Pouille was due to play the opening rubber but he pulled out on Friday morning with a neck problem.

Mannarino had a 4-2 lead in the tiebreaker but De Bakker took the next five points and the opening set.

Just as he had done in the first set, De Bakker broke in the opening game of the second and although Mannarino had a couple of holds to love, the Frenchman ended the set as he started it - with a double fault.

De Bakker raced to 3-0 in the third set, including breaking Mannarino to love, and also won his final two service games to love.