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2/9/12 6:24 PM | Ricky Dimon
Roger Federer will take the court for the second singles rubber between Switzerland and the United States on Friday. Standing in Federer's way is John Isner.
Roger Federer will be playing in the main draw of the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2004 when Switzerland hosts the United States this weekend.
Federer is set to take the court for Friday's second singles rubber, ready for a third career meeting with John Isner. Both of their previous encounters went Federer's way; 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 at the 2007 U.S. Open and 6-3, 6-4 at the 2010 Shanghai Masters.
Isner, however, is a far more polished player than he was in 2007 and even in 2010. The 6'9'' American caught fire during the second half of last season and he is up to No. 17 in the world. Isner advanced two rounds at the Australian Open, beating David Nalbandian in a controversial five-setter before losing to Feliciano Lopez in five.
Federer won titles in his final three appearances last year and he is not looking back in 2012. The world No. 3 pulled out of Doha after two victories, but he rebounded to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open. At that point Federer suffered a four-set loss to nemesis Rafael Nadal.
"It's just another tie for me," Federer said of this Davis Cup showdown. "My team is a group of great friends. That's what I enjoy about it; that I can spend some time with them and hopefully try to win, but if we don't it doesn't matter. It's about trying your best and having a good time."
Winning, though, is likely for this Swiss squad, and that includes Federer's rubber on Friday. Isner has taken both Nadal (2011 French Open) and Novak Djokovic (2010 Davis Cup) to fifth sets on clay, but he still prefers faster surfaces. The underdog may be able to steal a set thanks to his serve, but count on Federer putting a point on the scoreboard for Switzerland.
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Fish beat Stan, 62 46 46 61 97.
nadline , 2/10/12 5:47 PM
Fed wins 1st set 6-4.
mani4Tennis , 2/10/12 6:48 PM
Isner takes the 2nd set 6-3.
nadline , 2/10/12 7:30 PM
and the 3rd 7-6
vmk1 , 2/10/12 8:18 PM
I'm still cautiously optimistic at best for John winning this. However, 2 sets to 1 Isner. Can I get a what what?
ts38 , 2/10/12 8:19 PM
My goodness, this Isner is really something, on clay! He pushed both Nole and Rafa to five sets before losing to them. Now Fed in trouble, he also needs to go five sets if he is to beat Isner here.
luckystar , 2/10/12 8:21 PM
Yes you can ts38...
Isner is simply better last two sets...
Court is so slow... It should be called "sand" not clay :))
zare , 2/10/12 8:23 PM
Fed is using now all his tricks... Toillet pause...changing racquet after only two games...anything to dissrupt Isner's rhytm...
zare , 2/10/12 8:29 PM
Is it possible to watch this match on live stream?
nadline , 2/10/12 8:33 PM
Does anyone know what Luthi was so viciously complaining about to the referee after the 3rd set?
ts38 , 2/10/12 8:35 PM
I can't watch the match so I guess it's the serve that's giving Isner the advantage.
nadline , 2/10/12 8:36 PM
How can 1 service game feel like such an eternity?
ts38 , 2/10/12 8:48 PM
It's not just serve...Isner's forehand is brilliant... Fed simply doesn't have solution...just hanging and waiting choke.
zare , 2/10/12 8:50 PM
It looked like Fed would rather be elsewhere. His heart just was not in it.
vmk1 , 2/10/12 8:52 PM
it seems that clay was a bad choice after all :\ or should I say freakin "sand" as Zare mentioned, damn ;@
OnTheRise , 2/10/12 8:52 PM
Isner won in 4 sets.
nadline , 2/10/12 8:54 PM
Wow.
smr , 2/10/12 8:54 PM
Wow...beating Federer, on clay, in Switzerland! I'm so used to disappointing losses I don't even know how to feel about this right now :-)
ts38 , 2/10/12 8:55 PM
I didnt see the match so I can't comment on why Roger lost. Was it to do with aces from Isner?
nadline , 2/10/12 8:56 PM
Congrats to Isner and his fans...he was a way better player... and USA team is now almost there.
I am happy for Isner coz the comments were... Well 3easy sets for Roge... maybe two hours match and so on...
So much about DC title... and about gold medal in London....ROFL...
zare , 2/10/12 9:00 PM
Oh, wow!!! Way to go John!!! Congrats! This win is HUGE on so many levels.
danica , 2/10/12 9:14 PM
It seemed to me that Fed's serve wasn't very effective on clay; Isner simply could get his racket on so many of Fed's serves and returned them with interest. Also Isner himself could slam down a few solid forehand winners, some of which Fed couldn't even get to.
I think on clay the higher bounce won't trouble tall players like Isner, so I think flattening the shots, keeping the ball low may be a better strategy. I notice Fed's serves mostly ended up in the strike zone of Isner. Now I see why both Nole and Rafa were having trouble with Isner on clay.
luckystar , 2/11/12 3:50 AM
Isner said himself that he doesn't mind playing on clay, that he actually prefers a slower surface. This might just be him excited having beaten Federer, but he's had some big results in the past..
ts38 , 2/11/12 5:19 AM
The tennis channel is now showing the match. I don't think this surface was the best choice. I guess the Swiss team thought that it would give the Americans trouble.
I think Isner handled the clay court conditions quite well. Of course, his serve is always a huge weapon but his groundstrokes have really improved. He was hitting a lot of clean winners in this match.
If I wasn't watching it, I wouldn't have believed it.
Nativenewyorker , 2/11/12 8:59 AM
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Love to see big John pull this off, but it's not going to happen. Roger can take down he big serve any time, any day. I guess Marty and Stan are playing the other singles match. That might be more competitive.
Maya , 2/9/12 11:23 PM