France will host Switzerland in the Davis Cup final in November after Roger Federer gave the Swiss the winning point against Italy in Geneva yesterday.
Federer reached the first Davis Cup final of his career with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over Fabio Fognini in the first of the semi-final’s reverse singles.
That made it 3-1 for the Swiss thus ensuring they would contest the final of the annual team event for the first time since 1992, when they lost to the United States.
Andreas Seppi edged Michael Lammer 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the remaining dead rubber to make the final score 3-2.
France made sure of playing in the final for the first time since 2010 on Saturday when they saw off Czech Republic. The final will be played in France from November 21-23, with the northern city of Lille being touted as the likely host.
“The most classical match-ups I’ve had have come against France so I’m happy,” said Federer.
“It’s nice sharing emotions with your fans and your loved ones. You have to fight with what you’ve got and I’m happy I was able to make a difference.”
Over in Paris, the France v Czech Republic tie ended at Roland Garros in a 4-1 win for the French, Jiri Vesely defeating Julien Benneteau 6-4, 6-3 before Gael Monfils beat Lukas Rosol 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in the two “dead” rubbers. France last won the Davis Cup in 2001 when they travelled to Australia and won 3-2.
In the World Group play-offs, where the winners will play in the elite 16-team division in 2015, US Open champion Marin Cilic guided 2005 champions Croatia to a 3-2 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
In Perth, Nick Kyrgios and Sam Groth wrapped up a 5-0 clean sweep for Australia in their play-off against Uzbekistan.
Bad weather halted the decisive fifth rubber after Serbia and hosts India were locked 2-2 in Bangalore.
In Tallinn, David Goffin defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 to give Belgium the winning point against Ukraine.