Mikhail Youzhny staged a stunning recovery to beat France‘s Henri-Paul Mathieu 3-6 2-6 6-3 7-5 6-4 and secure a first-ever Davis Cup for Russia.
The partisan French crowd roared Mathieu on and he appeared to be on the verge of victory as he took the opening two sets, but Youzhny came back brilliantly.
As Mathieu lost his touch Youzhny grew in confidence and fully deserved his victory in a match between two of the young stars of the world scene.