Federer/Wawrinka suffer surprise loss – Australia 2-1 up

Written by: Global Chick on 17th September 2011

Federer/Wawrinka suffer surprise loss – Australia 2-1 up

Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) and Stanislas Wawrinka (R) discuss their serving strategy during their doubles match against Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione in the Davis Cup world group play-off in Sydney, 17 September 2011. Australia defeated Switzerland with a 4th set tie break 7-5. EPA/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT, EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

Australia knew they were going to have to dig deep this weekend to have a chance to get back into the Davis Cup World Group. Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione overcame Switzerland’s top players Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka in the crucial doubles rubber 2-6 6-4 6-2 7-6 (5).

Bernard Tomic started off yesterday with a four sets win over Stanislas Wawrinka in the first singles rubber. Roger Federer proved too strong for the former World No. 1 Aussie in the second singles rubber. This was Federer’s first win over Hewitt in Davis Cup. Switzerland levelled the tie 1-1 after the first day of play at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Former Davis Cup player Todd Woodbridge said Guccione and Hewitt’s win today was one of the greatest doubles victories for Australia.

Hewitt and Guccione lost the first set 6-2 in 30 minutes and things were looking down for the Australians. The two following sets were dominated by the Aussies. The fourth set was decided in a tiebreaker. “Gooch and I were up for it. We’ve been preparing for this for the last couple of weeks,” the former world number one said. He added, “We knew it was going to be a big match for us and we’ve done everything possible and Gooch gutsed it out there in the end and I just tried to play my part – it was a fantastic win.”

Lleyton Hewitt fell down on his knees after the win. Youngster Bernard Tomic will take on Roger Federer tomorrow at 11 am Sydney time in the reverse singles. Hewitt said he believes Tomic could cause an upset tomorrow, “He’s got nothing to lose tomorrow. It’s a fantastic opportunity for him to play one of the greatest players on a grass court. Roger plays so well on grass but we believe this is Bernard’s best surface as well.”

Australia is looking to return to the World Group for the first time since 2007. The last time they won Davis Cup was in 2003 and Australia has amassed an impressive 28 Davis Cup trophies over the years.