Noah Finally Singles Out Leconte

French Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah broke his silence Wednesday and said Henri Leconte will be France’s No. 2 singles player in the Davis Cup final against the United States, which begins Friday at Lyon, France.

Noah planned to keep the choice secret until today’s draw, but made it known in a conversation with reporters. Leconte will face Pete Sampras in one of the opening singles matches.

Andre Agassi will face France’s top player, Guy Forget, in the other opening singles match.

On Saturday, Ken Flach and Robert Seguso will play an as-yet-unannounced French doubles team. Noah said he is leaning toward Leconte and Forget.

Noah said he will continue to refuse to compete in South Africa despite the country’s readmission to international tennis.

Noah, who is black and of Cameroon origin, said he was shocked by television pictures of clashes between anti-apartheid demonstrators and security officials at last week’s world doubles championships in Johannesburg.

“Frankly, I can’t see myself going there as a player or as captain of France’s Davis Cup team,” he said. “I would have the feeling of being used.”