France won the Federation Cup for the first time yesterday when Sandrine Testud disposed of Miriam Oremans in the second reverse singles to secure an unbeatable 3-1 lead.

It was France's first appearance in a Federation Cup final and also a personal triumph for the flamboyant Yannick Noah who was named Fed team coach earlier this year after having led his country's men's team to Davis Cup triumph.

It was the second defeat for the Dutch in two finals. They were beaten by Australia in 1968.

The French had won both opening singles on Saturday but hard-hitting Brenda Schultz-McCarthy revived Dutch hopes by toppling France's leading player Mary Pierce 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first reverse singles.

World number 14 Testud, who had also won all four previous encounters with world number 50 Oremans, fought back from a torrid opening set to win 0-6, 6-3, 6-3.