LONDON — France has the edge over Britain in their Davis Cup quarterfinal after Gilles Simon eased to a 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 victory over James Ward in the opening game on Friday.
Andy Murray — Britain's top-ranked player — played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga later in the day looking to level the tie on the Queen's Club grass.
Murray beat Tsonga on the same Queen's court in the 2011 final, and 2013 semifinals, and twice at Wimbledon.
France, last year's runner-up, is in the quarterfinals for the 14th time in 15 years. British has spent most of that time in the Euro-Africa zone and is seeking a semifinal spot for the first time since 1981.