Federer Leads Switzerland in Davis Cup Tie vs. USA

Written by: Staff on 9th February 2012

Federer Leads Switzerland in Davis Cup Tie vs. USA |

Roger Federer leads the charge for Switzerland against the US in Davis Cup first round play – the only member of the ATP Top 4 who will step onto court this weekend. Missing the from the competition will be No. 1 Novak Djokovic for Serbia, Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Britain’s fourth-ranked Andy Murray, all either resting or nursing injuries from the Australian Open.

Djokovic is still pondering his season after setting record in 2011 and will not commit to any firm Davis Cup program despite crediting Serbia’s 2010 title with turning his career on hits head.

Nadal, No. 2 and losing Australian open finalist is out by choice for the all of February to rest the shoulder injury which bothered him during late 2011 and will not re-surface until Indian Wells next month, Spanish media already show him practicing at home in Mallorca with local teenaged competition.

Switzerland has it’s chances against a US second string on indoor clay in Fribourg, with Americans minus injured Andy Roddick and new father Bob Bryan. Picking up the pieces in singles will be Mardy Fish and John Isner.

Swiss captain and Federer coach Severin Luthi will have 16-time major champion Federer onside, backed up by Stanislas Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer. The Swiss stand 1-2 in the series, which included the 1992 final won by the US in Texas. The Americans own a record 32 titles but have achieved only one of those in the past 16 years.

“I’m really looking forward to this encounter, all the more so given that we can play in Switzerland,” said Federer. “(Clay was) undoubtedly the right decision, even if it’s unusual to suddenly be playing on clay in February.

“The US certainly have a team that can beat us, however. All their players are dangerous, in the singles and in the doubles.”

Topics: Davis Cup, Roger Federer