Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka give Switzerland winning start
World number one Roger Federer and his 2008 Olympic gold medal partner Stanislas Wawrinka put Switzerland 2-0 up in their Davis Cup World Group play-off against the Netherlands in damp conditions on Friday.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: September 14, 2012 11:58 PM IST
World number one Roger Federer and his 2008 Olympic gold medal partner Stanislas Wawrinka put Switzerland 2-0 up in their Davis Cup World Group play-off against the Netherlands in damp conditions on Friday.
Federer eased past Dutch number two Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 before Wawrinka, the world number 17, defeated 50th-ranked Robin Haase 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
"It was important to get off to a good start and I played solidly in rainy and windy conditions," said Federer.
"He had some chances but couldn't take them. I was happy to come through the match unharmed and I was able to win the first rubber."
On Saturday, Federer and Wawrinka, who won gold in the men's doubles at the Beijing Olympics, face Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer.
Victory in that rubber will guarantee Switzerland a place in the elite World Group in 2013.