TENNIS DAVIS CUP – Switzerland established a 2-0 lead over Italy in the first day of the Davis Cup semifinal in front of 18500 enthusiastic spectators who packed the Palaexpo in Geneva. In the first match Federer beat Bolelli 7-6 6-4 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes without dropping serve. In the second match Stan Wawrinka beat Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-3 6-2 in 90 minutes. Diego Sampaolo
Sometimes scores do not tell all the truth. It’s the case of the first match between Federer and Bolelli which went on serve until the tie-break of the first set.
Federer won 80% of his first serve points in the first set
In the breaker Federer took a 2-1 lead before clinching the third set point with a backhand across the court to close out the first set with 7-5. Federer needed 80 minutes to get the first break in the seventh game and secured the second set after saving two break points when he was serving for the set at 5-4. He took the fifth set point chance to clinch the second set with a volley winner
The Swiss legend broke serve in the third game of the third set. Bolelli got his third break point at 3-2 30-40 but could not convert it.
“I had to wait for a while to get my first break. After that it was easy to play with the lead but it was a tough match, as the score suggests. Non being broken is always a great thing. That’s what most pleased me.”, said Federer
Bolelli really deserves a cheer as he is playing very well after a difficult period in which his career was ruined by a serious injury.
This year’s Australian Open champion Wawrinka secured the second win for the Swiss team with a convincing straight- set win with 6-2 6-3 6-2. Wawrinka got the break for 3-1 in the second set but Fognini broke back. Wawrinka broke again to claim the second set with 6-3.
Wawrinka hit 16 aces and 37 winners. He secured the first set when Fognini committed a double fault.
The Lausanne player clinched the final game with a service winner.
“I was aggressive today. It was one of my best Davis Cup matches”, said Wawrinka
Switzerland was simply too strong for Italy who created just five break point chances in two matches and converted one.
The Swiss team just needs one win in Saturday’s doubles to qualify for the first Davis Cup final since 1992.