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France wins doubles, clinches Davis Cup semifinal vs. Spain

LILLE, France -- Doubles pair Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut sealed France's win over Spain in their Davis Cup semifinal on Saturday, giving the defending champions an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

The French veterans, both aged 36, defeated Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez 6-0, 6-4, 7-6 (7) on the indoor hard court set up inside the Pierre Mauroy soccer stadium.

France reached back-to-back finals for the first time since 2002.

France, which won both singles matches Friday, will face either Croatia or the United States in the final.

Spain was without top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who was ruled out because of the right-knee injury that forced him to retire from his US Open semifinal against Juan Martin del Potro last week.