Federer fires Switzerland into Davis Cup final
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GENEVA: Roger Federer secured Switzerland’s place in the final of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1992 by comfortably beating Italy’s Fabio Fognini in Geneva on Sunday.
Roared on by a capacity crowd in the Palexpo Arena, Federer dismantled world number 17 Fognini 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in just under two hours to give the Swiss an unassailable 3-1 lead.
“It’s really nice to share it (victory) with my team members,” Federer said in an on-court interview after being hoisted on the shoulders of team-mate Stan Wawrinka and captain Severin Luethi for a lap of honor round the court.
“I think I really struggled today. I think Fabio struggled all weekend. It’s tough conditions, pretty quick court, so it’s always going to happen especially if you are not serving so well.
“I thought today wasn’t the best performance from both of us, but then again you’ve got to fight with what you’ve got and in the end I’m happy to make the difference.”
Switzerland, who lost to the United States in their only other Davis Cup final appearance, will play France in the final.
France made sure of playing in the final for the first time since 2010 on Saturday when their doubles team of Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Czechs Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek in four sets at Roland Garros.
The final will be played in France from November 21-23, with the northern city of Lille being touted as the likely host.
The last time the two countries met in a Davis Cup tie was in the 2004 quarter-finals when the Swiss won 3-2 at home.
“The most classical match-ups I’ve had have come against France so I’m happy,” said Federer.
“We’ve had some great ties here in Switzerland so we’re very pleased to be in the finals and we’ll see how it’s going to go.”
Over in Paris, the France v Czech Republic tie ended at Roland Garros in a 4-1 win for the French, Jiri Vesely defeating Julien Benneteau 6-4, 6-3 before Gael Monfils beat Lukas Rosol 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in the two “dead” rubbers.
France last won the Davis Cup in 2001 when they travelled to Australia and won 3-2.
Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2014
