Australia will host France in the Davis Cup final after completing a 4-1 semi final win over Sweden. US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt clinched the tie for Australia with a 7-6 5-7 6-2 6-1 win over Thomas Johansson before Pat Rafter finished off in style with a 6-3 6-2 win over Jonas Bjorkman. The final will be played in Melbourne from November 30 to December 2 against the French, who beat the Netherlands in the other semi final.
Australia took a 2-1 lead into the final day after winning Saturday's doubles match and splitting the first day singles at Sydney's Olympic tennis centre. "It was really very, very close but the (doubles) match was the key, we needed to win that one. Of course we are disappointed we didn't win but we fought well and I'm very proud of our team. The Australians were just too good," Swedish captain Carl-Axel Hageskog said.
Australia's win secured them their first home final in 15 years. They beat France in Nice in the 1999 final to win the Davis Cup for the 27th time but lost last year's decider in Spain. "It doesn't get much better than playing a Davis Cup final in Melbourne. We always had that in the back of our minds so there was no way we were going to let that slip," said a delighted Hewitt.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
