France defeated two-time defending Davis Cup champion Spain for the first time since 1923 when Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau topped Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano López, 6-1, 6-7, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), to secure a 3-0 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinals Saturday in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
There were upsets in the other three quarterfinals at Eastbourne.
Organizers have said a minute's silence will be observed ahead of all four quarterfinals.
In the past year, Flipkens has reached three quarterfinals, three semifinals and two finals, winning her first WTA event last fall in Quebec.
All four quarterfinals were won by the home team last season, and only 13 teams have won on the road in 56 quarterfinals over 14 seasons.
In the last nine Wimbledons, he has reached four quarterfinals and four semifinals, but he and his compatriots are still waiting for more.
Three of the four quarterfinals at the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia went to extra time this weekend, and two had to be settled by penalties.
The first quake of 7.1 magnitude on Sept. 4, 2010, caused minor damage to AMI Stadium, which was scheduled to hold five pool matches and two quarterfinals.
In what looks like a potentially historic shift, all four quarterfinals will be hosted by teams who have yet to win the trophy.
Robredo, the 31-year-old Spaniard who reached four quarterfinals here before injuries took their toll, is a fine comeback story himself.
