France reaches final, Djokovic flops

PARIS - Nine-time champion France eased into the Davis Cup final on Saturday, but Serbia's decision to throw unfit world No 2 Novak Djokovic into doubles action backfired against the Czech Republic.

France opened up an unassailable 3-0 lead in its semifinal against Argentina in Lyon when Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement defeated US Open semifinalists Horacio Zeballos and Eduardo Schwank 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.

In December's final, they will tackle either last year's runner-up Czech Republic or Serbia, which has never reached a Davis Cup final.