Paire gives France 1-0 lead against Spain in Davis Cup tie

Lille (France)   :  France took a 1-0 lead in its Davis Cup semi-final tie against Spain after Benoit Paire won 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 over Pablo Carreño Busta on Friday.

In his Davis Cup debut, the 29-year-old Paire gave defending champion France its first point of the semifinals in a match that lasted one hour and 54 minutes at Pierre Mauroy stadium's indoor hard court in the northern French city of Lille, reports Efe.

Before nearly 14,000 fans, Paire fired 16 aces and 37 winners, compared to his rival's one and eight, respectively.

France's Lucas Pouille is currently playing Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain in the second singles rubber.

The winner of the France-Spain tie will go up against the winner of the United States and Croatia tie.