ROGER FEDERER AND STAN THE MAN HELP PUT THE SWISS BACK INTO WORLD GROUP, U.S. GETS THERE TOO BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 20th September 2015

ROGER FEDERER AND STAN THE MAN HELP PUT THE SWISS BACK INTO WORLD GROUP, U.S. GETS THERE TOO BY RICKY DIMON

epa04939815 A supporter of Roger Federer of Switzerland holds a placard reading 'Roger don't leave me' during the third match of the Davis Cup World Group Play-off round between Switzerland and Netherlands at the Palexpo, in Geneva, Switzerland, 20 September 2015. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI |

Always one to answer the call when Switzerland is on the brink of Davis Cup relegation, Roger Federer sent his country back to the World Group for 2016 by finishing off the Netherlands on Sunday in Geneva. Federer beat Thiemo De Bakker 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to clinch the tie 3-1 in favor of the Swiss.

“It was a great atmosphere,” the 34-year-old assured. “For a playoff tie, to have as many people that we had was wonderful, so I really enjoyed myself this weekend. I’m very pleased with my performance in the match today.”

Federer went 2-1 overall during the tie against the Dutch, including 2-0 in singles. He bounced back from a Saturday doubles loss with Marco Chiudinelli to De Bakker and Matwe Middelkoop.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Thiemo De Bakker of The Netherlands during the third match of the Davis Cup World Group Play-off round between Switzerland and Netherlands at the Palexpo, in Geneva, Switzerland, 20 September 2015. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

Earlier on Sunday, the United States became the first playoff participant to punch a ticket to the 2016 World Group. With a 2-1 lead going into the final day of action, the visitors closed out Uzbekistan thanks to Jack Sock’s 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Denis Istomin.

Both Sock and Istomin had put up points for their respective nations on Friday. Istomin outlasted Steve Johnson 7-5 in the fifth set before Sock dusted aside Farrukh Dustov 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

Johnson matched Sock in playing a hand in two of the Americans’ three points. In addition to his 1-1 singles record, Johnson teamed up with Sam Querrey to dominate Saturday’s doubles rubber. But success was especially sweet for Sock, who seemed to be on course for a run at the U.S. Open but had to retire from his second-round match against Ruben Bemelmans because of heat problems.

“To get two wins and play solid matches for me gives me a lot of confidence, especially after New York and have to pull out and retire there,” said Sock. “It’s tough to go out that way. This will give me a lot of confidence the rest of the year.”

“One of the challenges here was bringing a team with very little experience, but one of the great things is we come out of this tie is now these guys have had a taste of Davis Cup,” captain Jim Courier added. “We have more options at our disposal I think that is important for the US team. We need to have as many options for surfaces as we will face. I think we are at a better spot at the end of this year than probably we were at the end of last year.”

Next year will mark the 28th consecutive appearance for the United States in the World Group. The draw ceremony will be held on Wednesday.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Atp World Tour, Davis Cup, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Stan The Man, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

September 20, 2015 at 6:56 pm

-@rogerfederer AND #StantheMan HELP PUT THE SWISS BACK INTO WORLD GROUP, U.S. GETS THERE TOO BY @Dimonator- http://t.co/JO0rmbKG4J
Dimonator says:

September 20, 2015 at 8:41 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@rogerfederer AND #StantheMan HELP PUT THE SWISS BACK INTO WORLD GROUP, U.S. GETS THERE TOO BY @Dimonator- http://t.co/J…
ElenaFoundation says:

September 21, 2015 at 9:45 am

In other #daviscup news… http://t.co/idDUgG0jdo (via @10sBalls_com)