The matches barely lasted two hours between them and would have been all over by 5.30am here. I have watched some highlights, but it's hard to get too invested when it's finishes before most are up and it's not even on TV to watch later. Hopefully someone will pick up the rights when it moves to Hungary next year - I'd think it would be shown as it's more of an actual tournament, but there'll obviously be more chance if GB beat Slovakia in the Feb playoff.

France will have a decision to make - do they stick with Garcia, who has been in terrible form since Nottingham and is barely top 50 now, or do they bring in Cornet/Ferro? I guess the Aussies have a similar issue with Tomljanovic who seemingly had an awful eagerly anticipated (Australian) Fed Cup debut (Bedene...). Most would probably expect Barty to beat Mladenovic, so the other match will likely go a long way in determining whether or not the doubles match will be the decider.

Well done france indeed and mladenovic in particular. Although have to say, I completely forgot about it as an event. I actually think the new format will serve it better next year, in the round, and hope it goes well.

I've come round on davis cup as well, sometimes change is to be adopted and supported, I've now come round to it on the ded cup and davis cup formats.