Round-up: Federer, Wawrinka seal win

Eurosport - Sun, 21 Sep 18:40:00 2008

Olympic doubles gold medallists Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka teamed up again to beat Belgium's Xavier Malisse and Olivier Rochus and give Switzerland an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group play-off match.

TENNIS 2008 Davis Cup - Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer celebrate after defeating Olivier Rochus and Xavier Malisse of Belgium in the World Group play-off in Lausanne - 0

The duo, who won their respective singles on Friday, were up against it early on after losing the first set and needed a tie-break to take the second before eventually prevailing 4-6 7-6 6-3 6-3 in Lausanne.

"It actually takes off a lot of pressure because we came into this tie as big favourites and we lived up to expectations," Federer said.

"Now we can enjoy Sunday and then look forward to the World Group next year."

Federer said he felt honoured and proud to represent Switzerland but was still unable to commit to the Davis Cup for 2009 and beyond.

"I don't know yet but it looks good," he said. "On Tuesday we will know the draw, that's going to answer many questions.

"It depends a lot on the ITF (International Tennis Federation) - if they get their act together and put the Davis Cup weeks in the proper place.

"We have had long discussions and it has always been very difficult because some people think they know better than us players.

"It's actually cost me the Davis Cup for the last four years, unfortunately, because people won't understand.

"Next year it's going to be better for Davis Cup and they might be rewarded by me playing again more often."

Serbia will be in the World Group next year after Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek 7-6 6-4 6-7 7-6 to secure a 3-0 lead over Slovakia.

Chile, Croatia, Israel, Romania and the Netherlands also secured places in the World Group of the Davis Cup for 2009 after completing play-off victories in the reverse singles.

Australia, champions 28 times but without the injured Lleyton Hewitt, will remain in the Asia/Oceania group after losing in Chile.

Olympic silver medallist Fernando Gonzalez beat Chris Guccione 7-6 7-5 6-3 to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead and take Chile back to the World Group following their relegation last year.

Dudi Sela defeated Luis Horna of Peru 6-7 6-4 6-1 6-2 to send Israel through while Romanian number one Victor Hanescu defeated India counterpart Prakash Amritraj in straight sets in the first reverse singles in Bucharest to see the hosts home.

The Netherlands eventually prevailed in the fifth rubber after Lee Hyung-taik came back from a poor start to beat Jesse Huta Galung 1-6 6-1 7-6 6-2 to level at 2-2.

Thiemo de Bakker made no mistake in the decider though, thumping Jun Woong-sun 6-2 6-1 6-3.

Austria beat Great Britain 3-2 after Alexander Peya came from a set down to win in four sets against Alex Bogdanovic.

It was Austria's first ever Davis Cup win over the Brits, who drop to the second tier.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. Yes John G you guessed it right, 2008 competition will have itīs final November between Spain and Argentina..
    Switzerland winning this tie means they will be able to compete for the title in the 2009 competition.
    Glad i could help :)

    From scourge_werepire, on Mon 22 Sep 2:03AM
  2. fed u did win gold for ur country n who dare say u forsake ur country 4yrs ago..

    From nthk8, on Mon 22 Sep 1:16AM
  3. Federer - great player - just too conceited - dreadful comment about 'rewarded' and he hasn't given a damn about Switzerland for four years.

    From nicola B, on Sun 21 Sep 6:58PM
  4. go roger

    From Bratu, on Sun 21 Sep 10:55AM
  5. As I have understood Federer can't win the Davis Cup this year.
    And only Spain U.S.A. Russia and Argentina can win it.
    Is it true?

    So Federer plays those games so that Switzerland qualify for the next year's competition?

    From John G, on Sun 21 Sep 9:23AM
  6. I would like to see Roger play in the davis cup as much as he is able. He is right when he says they don't fix it to where a lot of players can play. He has to look out for his ranking etc. He is the best there is. There will never ever be another like him-never.
    Mitzi

    From mitzi.heim, on Sun 21 Sep 3:30AM
  7. "Next year it's going to be better for Davis Cup and they might be rewarded by me playing again more often."

    What kind of comment is that? Federer sure doesn't do false modesty does he? Perhaps he could be more honest and say that he's put his No 1 ranking above playing Davis Cup for this country ...

    From plumpot77, on Sun 21 Sep 12:28AM
  8. federer is the best who is agree with me
    i love federer soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much

    From maia, on Sat 20 Sep 11:50PM
  9. go on federer u r the best u r the best i love u federer
    roger there is no one compare to u rogere
    roger is the best
    syria loves roger
    federer go on

    From maia, on Sat 20 Sep 11:47PM
  10. COME ON ROGER PLEASE PLAY FOR YOU'RE COUNTRY NEXT YEAR IN DAVIS CUP YOU KNOW YOU CAN WIN.
    ALISON MERRITT

    From AJ, on Sat 20 Sep 9:21PM
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