In 2001, a 19-year-old Roger Federer helped Switzerland to a 3-2 victory in his hometown of Basel against the United States. Eleven years later, a 30-year-old Federer, who has 16 Grand Slam titles to his name, is looking to bring the victory back to Switzerland.
Davis Cup 2012 Preview: Roger Federer, Switzerland Hoping For ‘01 Flashback Against United States
Switzerland and their 16-time Grand Slam singles player will take on the United States and their zero-time Grand Slam singles players in the first round match of Davis Cup play Friday. The meeting is the fourth between the two countries.
America won the last meeting between the two countries in 2009, but Federer was not on the Davis Cup team that year. The other match between the two countries was in 1992 when America’s “Dream Team” of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras led the team to a championship.
Courier is the coach for the Amiercan's Davis Cup team this year.
The first match will be between world No. 8 Mardy Fish (USA) and world No. 28 Stanislas Wawrinka. The second singles match is between world No. 3 Federer (SWI) and world No. 17 John Isner (USA). Isner has lost both matches he’s played against Federer, both which were played on hard court.
From USA Today:
“I don’t want to be getting in 15-ball rallies with Roger from the baseline ‘cause that probably won’t bode well for me,” the 17th-ranked Isner said. “I’m going to need to play aggressive, play-first strike tennis and see how it goes.”
Players for Switerland include world No. 190 Marco Chiudinelli and world No. 251 Michael Lammer. Switzerland is led by Severin Luthi.
Players for America include world No. 95 Ryan Harrison and world No. 1 doubles player Mike Bryan. They will pair together to take on Federer and Wawrinka. The Swiss tandem won a gold medal during the 2008 Olympics.
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