Fitzgerald defiant over doubles

Rafter and Hewitt must now win Sunday's singles

Australian captain John Fitzgerald has defended his decision to play Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter in the Davis Cup final doubles against France.

The pair were beaten 2-6 6-3 7-6 6-1 by Cedric Pioline and Fabrice Santoro as France took a 2-1 lead ahead of Sunday's singles.

Hewitt and Rafter were chosen ahead of Australia's original pairing of Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs despite being involved in Friday's singles.

The two men are also set to play again on Sunday but Fitzgerald insisted he had no regrets about the selection.

I still think we have a very good chance of winning the tie

Pat Rafter

"We discussed it as a team and went through the pros and cons and we thought it was the right decision," said Fitzgerald.

"It was a decision which almost broke my heart because they're such a high-quality team, Wayne and Todd.

"But we have two of the best players in the world here and you have to take everything into account and come out with what you think is the right combination for the middle day.

"But there is a fine line between genius and idiot, isn't there?"

Despite showing signs of fatigue, both Rafter and Hewitt said they were confident of winning the remaining singles to turn the tie round.

If Hewitt can beat Sebastien Grosjean in Sunday's first match, Rafter will play Nicolas Escude to decide the title.

France celebrate success in the doubles

"You couldn't have written it better," said Rafter, who plans to take next year off.

"You don't want anyone to die at the end of a good story and I'm always one of those people who like happy endings.

"I still think we have a very good chance of winning the tie."

But France are quietly confident they can complete what would be a major upset.

"We came here with nothing to lose but the guys are starting to believe they can win now," French captain Guy Forget said.

"The hardest part is still to come but we believe we can do it."

History now favours France as the winner of the doubles match has gone on to take the title in each of the previous 23 Davis Cup finals.