Sunday 12th February 2012

Federer hapless as US beat Switzerland

Federer hapless as US beat Switzerland

Roger Federer suffered his second defeat in as many days as the United States dumped Switzerland out of the Davis Cup thanks to another big performance from Mardy Fish.

After losing a 15-match unbeaten run in singles rubbers on Friday against John Isner, the former world number one teamed up with Stanislas Wawrinka for Saturday's doubles but was again beaten in four sets in Fribourg.

Mike Bryan and Fish, who beat Wawrinka in singles play on Friday, lost the first set, but stormed back to claim a 4-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 win to put America 3-0 up in the tie and put them into the quarter-finals where they will face either Canada or France.

Fish, who partnered Bryan in the absence of his brother, Bob, because of the birth of his daughter last week, told www.daviscup.com: "It feels pretty good to win.

"I certainly know what it feels like to lose and it's not a great feeling. This guy (Mike Bryan) is the best doubles player of all time and I was just trying to do my part."

Bryan paid tribute to his temporary partner, saying: "He played like Bob. It was a lot of fun playing with Mardy.

"He's a clutch player - yesterday [Friday] he showed it. And then to come out here after he played a five-hour match yesterday [Friday] and back it up in the doubles, it was unbelievable.

"It was a thrill to play with him."

Federer was playing a first-round tie for the first time in eight years, but said this weekend's experience would not put him off doing it again.

"I enjoy being with the boys, so I hope we can do it again down the road," he said. "This is not a set-back or a step forward. It's nothing.

"I love my time with Stan and the guys and that's what counts for me."

Defending champions Spain also eased into the quarter-finals as they established an unassailable 3-0 lead against Kazakhstan.

Without Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer, Spain won both their singles rubbers in Oviedo on Friday and Saturday's doubles match posed to problems to Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez, who beat Yuriy Schukin and Evgeny Korolev 6-2 6-3 6-1.

Spain captain Alex Corretja, whose side will face Russia or Austria next, was delighted with the way his players coped without their big guns.

He said: "I learned a lot of things, especially that we have a lot of players to choose [from], lots of players that are capable and ready to play, and they are very enthusiastic to show that they are also good players."

Also through after Saturday's doubles were Argentina and the Czech Republic.

For Argentina, David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank beat Tommy Haas and Philipp Petzschner to put Germany out, while Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek teamed up for the Czech Republic to beat Italy's Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace.

Austria and Serbia were made to wait as Russia and Sweden both produced doubles wins on Saturday leaving both ties poised at 2-1, which was also Croatia's lead after they were victorious against Japan in Saturday's doubles.

France took a 2-1 lead against Canada as Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra won the doubles rubber in Vancouver.

After the singles had been shared on the opening day, Benneteau and Llodra won 7-6 (7/1) 7-6 (7/2) 6-3 against Daniel Nestor and Milos Raonic.


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