American Bryans can't close doubles deal, allow France to cut lead to 2-1

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Bob and Mike Bryan failed to win their doubles match Saturday, forcing the United States to wait another day before it can try to close its Davis Cup quarterfinal against France.

The French pair of Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement rallied past the top-ranked twins 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to cut the Americans' lead to 2-1 in the best-of-5 competition.

The Bryans had been 14-1 in Davis Cup play and 5-0 in clinching situations, but they couldn't secure a spot for the U.S. in the semifinals against Spain. Llodra and Clement raised their record to 4-2 against the Bryans, keeping the French alive for Sunday's reverse singles.

"These guys are human. You see them? They're human," U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe said. "We count on them. Everybody always says, 'The doubles are a lock.' Well, they played a great team and they played well.

"They had chances, but you you've got to give the French credit. They played unbelievable tennis in big points. It wasn't like the guys choked and missed easy points."

In the other Davis Cup quarterfinals, Spain swept Germany 3-0; Argentina leads Sweden 2-1; and Russia is in front of the Czech Republic 2-1.

A day after Andy Roddick and James Blake put the U.S. in command with singles wins, the Bryans wasted a chance to pass John McEnroe and Peter Fleming as the winningest U.S. Davis Cup doubles team.

Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra raise their record vs. the Bryans to 4-2. (AP)

On Sunday, Roddick will open against Paul-Henri Mathieu or perhaps Richard Gasquet if he's recovered from a blister on his right hand and a sore knee. Blake plays the final match, tentatively against Llodra.

French captain Guy Forget was seen talking to Gasquet after the doubles match ended. Forget hinted his lineup will depend on whether Gasquet thinks he's healthy enough to play.

"I feel it should be an honor to play for your country. I feel it's a privilege when somebody asks you if you want to play," Forget said. "Richard felt like he couldn't play at a decent level (Friday). Now the question is how he really feels. But I'm not begging him. If he doesn't want to play he won't go out."

Similar to their win over the Bryans in last year's Wimbledon final, Llodra and Clement were the aggressors on the quick indoor hard court, coming to the net often in an entertaining match that included many quick volleys.

Clement's forehand winner down the line broke Mike Bryan in the seventh game of the fourth set. Two games later, Llodra served it out on a day when the French never lost serve.

"We wanted to shut it down so we could have a good time tonight," Mike Bryan said.