after Dürr left despite winning the French Championships in singles and doubles. The addition of 1968 Championnat de France de tennis féminin Rosy Darmon saw the team progress through their sixth consecutive quarterfinals, however, where they were defeated by the Americans again. Former Wimbledon player Jacqueline Kermina then took over as captain and successful doubles player Gail Benedetti joined the team for 1969, but were once again unable to defeat Benedetti's former country, Australia, in the quarterfinals. By 1970, France's fortunes lifted. 1966 French Championships girls' singles champion Odile de Roubin and 1963 Championne de France Junior Christiane Spinoza came into the team, and together with Benedetti they defeated both the Japanese and the Italians, 2–1, before succumbing to West Germany. Dürr then rejoined the team in December 1970, having reached the Top 3 in singles, and No. 1 in doubles after winning several Grand Slam titles with Benedetti, while world-renowned player and promoter of tennis Philippe Chatrier took over from Kermina as captain. This new team led to France progressing past the final eight for the first time since 1965, before suffering their fifth straight defeat by Australia. The exact same team competed again in 1972, where they again enjoyed success winning five straight rubbers and allowing the team to reach their tenth consecutive quarterfinals, but they lost to home team South Africa, 1–2. 1973–1979: mixed fortunes The team rapidly changed for the 1973 tournament. Jacqueline Kermina returned to the captaincy, and Odile de Roubin came back as a player as Françoise Dürr and Gail Benedetti left. 1973 Championnat de France de tennis féminin Nathalie Fuchs and doubles player Florence Guédy also entered the team. They were drawn against the Netherlands for their first tie, and succumbed to their first ever first round defeat after the ambidextrous Marijke Schaar won her singles rubber over Fuchs and the doubles rubber over de Roubin and Guédy. As a result, France partook in their first ever consolation round matches. They easily passed through the quarterfinals after de Roubin and Guédy together won over Denmark and Brazil without losing a rubber, and Fuchs and de Roubin then managed to defeat the Irish to lead France to the semifinals. They also gathered a quick lead over Japan after Fuchs won over Australian Open semifinalist Kazuko Sawamatsu. However, they were soundly defeated in the next two rubbers, winning only three games thereafter. In 1974 however,