Caroline Garcia put France into a Fed Cup semi-final clash with the Netherlands by defeating Italy's Camila Giorgi 6-3, 6-4 in Marseille on Sunday. The win, in the second of the reverse singles, gave the home team a winning 3-1 lead with just the doubles to come. The Dutch had already completed a 3-0 sweep of last year's beaten finalists Russia in Moscow.
Earlier Kristina Mladenovic had put France 2-1 up over the Italians by defeating Sara Errani 7-6 (7/4), 6-1.
In what was a matchup of the two national number ones, Mladenovic was behind early on 3-1, but from that point on she dominated the tie and ran out a comfortable winner in the end.
Saturday's action had seen Mladenovic fall in three sets to Giorgi, while Errani lost to Garcia.
"Kristina was mentally strong after the difficulties she had yesterday. Caro (Garcia) super from the start to the finish," Mauresmo said. "There is no easy tie (in the Fed Cup) but it's a great chance for us."
It was the second straight year that France have defeated Italy in the Fed Cup first round having won 3-2 in Genoa last year.