France have levelled the Davis Cup final at 1-1 after Gael Monfils secured a 6-1 6-4 6-3 victory over Switzerland's Roger Federer in the second rubber in Lille.
Federer was declared fit for the showdown, despite pulling out of the ATP World Tour Final against Novak Djokovic last week due to a back injury.
It was a poor start for the world number two, though, as he lost his serve to give Monfils the edge, and then after saving an initial break point, Federer lost his serve again to give the Frenchman a one-set lead.
Monfils continued his domination as he went a break up early in the second set, which proved to be all that he needed to strengthen his lead on home turf.
After failing to create a break-point opportunity in the second set, Federer continued to struggle as he lost his serve once again to keep the momentum swinging in Monfils's direction.
It wasn't long before the Frenchman wrapped up the contest to put a point on the board for France following Stanislas Wawrinka's victory for Switzerland against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Danielle Joynson
