Noah picks Monfils for Davis Cup despite criticism of venue
PARIS (AP) French Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah has picked Gael Monfils to face Canada despite the player's criticism of the decision to play the first-round tie overseas.
After his Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Canadian Milos Raonic, Monfils questioned the decision to play in the overseas region of Guadeloupe because of the logistics involved.
Noah will lead the team for the first time in the town of Baie-Mahault from March 4-6. The world group tie will be held on clay.
Noah, the last Frenchman to win a Grand Slam, in 1983, told a news conference Wednesday Monfils ''is conscious he made a mistake'' with his comments but ''I also think he is very motivated to play this first round.''
Noah also selected Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
