Alex De Minaur (12th in the world) respected his rank against Ugo Humbert (36th), beaten 7-6, 6-3 Thursday in Manchester, which allows Australia to return to 1-1 against France in the qualifying phase. Davis Cup groups.
The Australians, finalists of the previous edition, had their backs against the wall after the victory of Adrian Mannarino (34th in the world) against Max Purcell (43rd), 7-6, 6-4, earlier in the afternoon.
The fate of the match now rests in the doubles which should immediately pit Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Nicolas Mahut against the pair formed by Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, according to the teams announced.
France won its first meeting, Tuesday against Switzerland (3-0), while Australia lost 2-1 on Wednesday against Great Britain, which the Blues face on Sunday in Manchester.