France booked their place in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup as they wrapped up a comfortable victory over Britain ©Getty Images

France booked their place in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup as they wrapped up a comfortable victory over Britain by winning today's doubles rubber in Rouen.

The host nation came into the match in control of the tie and took an unassailable 3-0 lead thanks to Nicolas Mahut and Julien Benneteau, who earned a hard-fought 7-6, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 win over Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot.

They were joined in securing a semi-final berth by Serbia, who have an insurmountable 3-0 advantage over Spain.

Mahut and Benneteau moved to within one set of a spot in the last four when they claimed the opener but Britain, missing star player and world number one Andy Murray through injury, hit back by clinching the second to level the match.

It proved to be a fleeting moment of success for the British pair, however, as the French team won the next two sets to progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for September.

"We are a great nation who have not won this competition since 2001," Mahut told BBC Sport.

"There is great expectation around the team and we are a good group.

"It was the first time I have played at home. 

"Hopefully we can play the semi-final at home and ultimately we want to bring back the trophy to France."

Steve Johnson and Jack Sock weathered a rough start to defeat Sam Groth and John Peers to keep their hopes of progressing alive ©Getty Images
Steve Johnson and Jack Sock weathered a rough start to defeat Sam Groth and John Peers to keep their hopes of progressing alive ©Getty Images

The United States kept their hopes of turning their contest with Australia around as they emerged victorious in the doubles to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Steve Johnson and Jack Sock weathered a rough start to defeat Sam Groth and John Peers 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

Their win ensured the tie goes into tomorrow's final day with progression to the last four still up for grabs.

"We’re not gonna go down without a fight," said Johnson.

"Playing for your country, there’s no bigger honour in tennis. 

"They came out hot. 

"We played the big points better at the end."

Serbia followed France into the last four when Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic ousted Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 in a gruelling five-set thriller at the Aleksandar Nikolic Arena in Belgrade.

In the other quarter-final tie, Belgium lead Italy 2-1 at Charleroi's Spiroudome.

The Italians trailed 2-0 but won the doubles rubber as Andreas Seppi and Simone Bolelli prevailed in another five-set epic to beat Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 3-6 7-6.