France picks Monte Carlo clay to face U.S.

France has chosen the Monte Carlo Country Club as the site of the Davis Cup quarterfinal between France and the United States, April 6-8. It’s the first time that France has chosen to play a Davis Cup tie at the venue, which also hosts an outdoor red clay court Masters-1000 event there later that month.

The U.S. leads its head to head with  France 8-7 and won their last tie at home in 2008. However, the last time they played in France on clay â€" at Roland Garros in 2002 in the semifinals â€" France came way with the victory.

Captain Jim Courier’s U.S. squad recently upset Switzerland on indoor red clay. France defeated Canada on indoor hardcourts in Vancouver.

Neither Courier nor French captain Guy Forget have picked their squads yet, but it's possible that Courier will stick with his two singles players who performed well against Switzerland â€" Mardy Fish and John Isner â€" as well as doubles player Mike Bryan, and likely his twin brother Bob, who did win Roland Garros together once on dirt. Ryan Harrison, who won a dead rubber against Switzerland, is also a possibility. Andy Roddick has said that he will not play unless someone gets injured as he thinks it would be unfair to the rest of the team.

France’s injured Gael Monfils recently said that he is prioritizing the tie over the tournament in Miami, which occurs the two weeks before. Top Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga does not consider clay his best surface, but has reached the fourth round of Roland Garros twice before. Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau, who played doubles together against Canada, are also possibilities, as is No. 13 ranked Gilles Simon. â€" Matt Cronin