Tuesday, April 08, 2014

Roger Federer helps move Switzerland ahead and into Davis Cup semis

SWITZERLAND 3, KAZAKHSTAN 2
Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland (Hard, Indoor)


Roger Federer won his first live fifth Davis Cup rubber on Sunday to power Switzerland into the World Group semi-finals for the first time since 2003.


Federer defeated Andrey Golubev 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-3, denying Kazakhstan its first semi-final berth. Golubev was unable to conjure the magic that saw him upset Stanislas Wawrinka to open the tie on Friday, succumbing in two hours and 13 minutes.


It was the World No. 5's tour-leading 24th match victory of the year, remaining two wins ahead of Marin Cilic.


Earlier in the day, Wawrinka kept Swiss hopes afloat after rallying past Mikhail Kukushkin 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Wawrinka hammered 25 aces and won a staggering 94 per cent of first serve points (59/63) to defeat Kukushkin in three hours and nine minutes. The Swiss fired 65 winners, including 12 from his backhand wing.


The Kazakhs had previously completed a whitewash of the 1992 finalists Switzerland in their only prior meeting, in 2010.


atpworldtour.com

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