LONDON :France moved to the brink of the Davis Cup Final 8 by taking a 2-0 lead over Croatia and Argentina, Austria and Germany are also close to booking their spots in Bologna after also dominating the opening day of their qualifying ties on Friday.

Debutant Corentin Moutet gave 10-time champions France the ideal start in Osijek by beating home favourite Dino Prizmic 6-4 5-7 6-1 before world number 57 Arthur Rinderknech topped big-serving 2014 U.S. Open winner Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4.

France will progress if they win any of the possible three rubbers on Saturday beginning with the doubles.

In Groningen, hosts the Netherlands are hoping to emulate last year's run to the final, which they lost to Italy, but already have a mountain to climb after losing both singles to Argentina.

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