The Netherlands, the defending champion, was the favourite to win the men's competition at the Olympic Park Tennis Centre – but it was the French who stepped up to the plate to clinch their first world title, now named the Randy Snow Trophy, since 2009.

Ronald Vink gave the Dutch the edge after defeating Nicolas Peifer in a thrilling encounter 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

But world number-two Houdet (pictured top) stunned Maikel Scheffers by overwhelming Scheffers in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2 to level the tie, closing out the match by winning six successive games after trailing 0-2 in the second set.

To cap a fantastic personal display, Houdet teamed up with Michael Jeremiasz, with whom he won doubles gold at Beijing 2008, were emphatic winners, 6-1, 6-1, over Swedes Tom Egberink and Robin Ammerlaan.


There was reason for the Dutch to celebrate, however, as they claimed the women's title with a 2-0 win over Japan, a triumph complemented by victory in the junior event.

Israel beat Great Britain 2-0 to take the quad title.

Elsewhere, Thailand also had reason to celebrate with a 2-0 win over South Africa to gain promotion to the World Group for 2013.

South Africa will also compete in the World Group after a promotion-relegation playoff victory over Belgium by two sets to one.

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