LILLE, France — Jo-Wilfried Tsonga demolished Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, to bring France level at 1-1 with Belgium after the first day of the Davis Cup final on Friday.

The French No. 1 wasted several early break chances before finding his stride on the indoor harcourt of the Pierre Mauroy stadium after in-form David Goffin had given the visitors a 1-0 lead by beating Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.

Tsonga had too much for Darcis in the second rubber but it took until the eighth game of the opening set to break through the world No. 76’s stubborn early resistance.

Darcis gave Tsonga the run-around at times, holding his ground in most baseline exchanges, but the Belgian was unable to produce the kind of upset that has become expected of him in Davis Cup.

Tsonga’s power made the difference in the first set and, from then on, it was one-way traffic for France, who suffered a similarly one-sided loss in the opening rubber.

France picked Richard Gasquet and Pierre-Hugues Herbert while Belgium chose Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore for Saturday's doubles but team captains have until one hour before the start of the match to change their line-up.

Nine-time champions France have not won the Davis Cup since 2001, losing three finals since then, while Belgium, runners-up in 2015, have never claimed the title.

Goffin was never in trouble, by crushing Pouille. The world No. 7, high on self-confidence since he finished runner-up at the ATP Finals last weekend, played the key points better at the end of the first set and never looked back, not facing a single break point on the indoor hardcourt.

Emotions ran high early on as doubles specialist Julien Benneteau, who was surprisingly dropped from France's starting line-up on Thursday, burst into tears when the players were introduced to the 28,500 crowd at the Pierre Mauroy stadium.

Although they were largely outnumbered in the stands, the Belgium fans were the most vocal.

Pouille had won his previous three encounters with Goffin, all played last year, but the Belgian was the more confident and composed player.

The Frenchman whipped several forehand winners but was kept in check by Goffin as both players held comfortably. Pouille was two points from the set at 5-4, 30-30, but his opponent served two consecutive aces.

Goffin had the first break point in the following game, converting it when Pouille's sliced backhand went into the net. The Belgian then won his service game to love, clinching the set with a service winner.

Goffin took an early break in the second when the Frenchman double faulted and he bagged the second set as Pouille made yet another unforced error.

Another early break put Goffin in the driving seat in the third set and the Belgian raced to victory on his first match point.

He is definitely a different, better player, that's why he's had the end of season that he's had, Pouille, who often trains with Goffin and is among the Belgian's best friends, told a news conference.

He is now among the best players in the world, his level has been incredible since his Davis Cup semifinal (in September).

His level is getting higher and higher and he proved that today. He did everything perfectly. He's playing the best Tennis of his life. — Reuters