Register a thrilling comeback victory over their opponents
France's Gael Monfils celebrates with teammates after winning his singles match against Germany's Peter Gojowczyk in their Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal tie in Nancy, France, on Sunday.France won the tie 3-2
Paris: Switzerland, Italy and France all staged thrilling comebacks on Sunday to reach the Davis Cup semifinals. Roger Federer, the 17 time Grand Slam title winner, and Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka won their reverse singles as Switzerland beat Kazakhstan 3-2 in Geneva. In their first semifinal since 2003 they will face Italy who defeated Great Britain 3-2 in Naples.
France came back from 0-2 down to see off underdogs Germany 3-2 in Nancy and will face two time defending champions Czech Republic who crushed Japan 5-0. World number four Federer, who had never played a decisive Davis Cup rubber, cruised past world 64 Andrey Golubev 7-6 (7/6), 6-2, 6-3 for the winning point. Earlier, Wawrinka beat Mikhail Kukushkin, the world 56, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to bring Switzerland level. It was a much-needed win for Wawrinka who had lost his singles opener to Golubev on Friday and then teamed with Federer in a losing doubles on Saturday.
Italy foiled Britain’s dream of a first semifinal appearance in 33 years with a battling 3-2 quarterfinal win on the Naples clay. Britain were leading 2-1 going into Sunday’s closing two reverse singles. But World No.13 Fabio Fognini stunned Andy Murray 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 with Andreas Seppi securing the decisive point with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over James Ward.
( Source : AFP )
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