London: In Osijek, France, ten-time Davis Cup champions, took control against Croatia. Rising star Corentin Moutet overcame Dino Przemyš 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, before world No. 57 Artur Rinderknech stunned 2014 US Open champion Marin Čilić with a straight-sets 6-4, 6-4 victory. France now need just one more win from the three matches scheduled on Saturday to seal qualification.

Elsewhere, Argentina made a strong start against the Netherlands in Groningen. Tomas Etcheverry dispatched Jesper de Jong 6-4, 6-4, while Francisco Cerundolo, ranked 21st, toppled Bottic van de Zandelhoop 7-6, 6-1, leaving the Dutch with an uphill battle to repeat last year’s run to the final.

Austria pulled off a surprise in Hungary, storming to a 2-0 lead, while Germany also impressed in Tokyo. Jan-Lennard Struff battled past Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets, and Yannick Hanfmann defeated Shintaro Mochizuki to give Germany the edge over Japan.

In Delray Beach, the U.S. and Czech Republic are locked at 1-1. Jiri Lehecka gave the visitors the lead with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Frances Tiafoe, but American No. 1 Taylor Fritz restored parity, beating Jakub Mencic 6-4, 6-3.