Published: Friday, February 10, 2012
Davis Cup: Isner stuns Federer, U.S. leads 2-0
FRIBOURG, Switzerland -- First, Mardy Fish put together a compelling rally to get the United States off to a fast start. Then John Isner bashed his way to a big upset.
Now Roger Federer and company are on the ropes.
Isner jolted Federer with his big serve and booming groundstrokes Friday, winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup.
Isner challenged the 16-time Grand Slam champion in long rallies on the indoor clay court, sending Federer to his first loss in Davis Cup singles in eight years and silencing a Swiss crowd unaccustomed to such outcomes.
"I thought he played great," Federer said. "He played it tough and served great when he had to. I just missed a couple more opportunities than he did and that's what cost me the match."
The 26-year-old Isner called it the "biggest win of my career thus far."
"I'm very proud of it," he said. "I played those break points down very well. It turned the match a little for me."
U.S. captain Jim Courier had high praise for the 17th-ranked Isner.
"I don't know I have ever seen anyone finish a match against Roger Federer the way he did today," Courier said. "That was pretty amazing."
The upset was preceded by a riveting opening singles match, with Fish outlasting Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 9-7.
"Mardy put forth a great effort," Isner said. "That was so gutsy. It took a lot of pressure off of me."
The U.S. can eliminate Switzerland today by winning the doubles in the best-of-five series. Mike Bryan and teenager Ryan Harrison face Federer and Wawrinka, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalists.
"It's been a difficult day for us," Federer said, adding: "We still have a chance to go through. I'm going to enjoy the challenge."
Seven other first-round series in the top tier of Davis Cup were contested Friday. Croatia and Japan were tied 1-1, same for Canada vs. France. Ahead 2-0 were Serbia (vs. Sweden), Austria (vs. Russia), Argentina (vs. Germany), Spain (vs. Kazakhstan) and Czech Republic (vs. Italy).
Now Roger Federer and company are on the ropes.
Isner jolted Federer with his big serve and booming groundstrokes Friday, winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup.
Isner challenged the 16-time Grand Slam champion in long rallies on the indoor clay court, sending Federer to his first loss in Davis Cup singles in eight years and silencing a Swiss crowd unaccustomed to such outcomes.
"I thought he played great," Federer said. "He played it tough and served great when he had to. I just missed a couple more opportunities than he did and that's what cost me the match."
The 26-year-old Isner called it the "biggest win of my career thus far."
"I'm very proud of it," he said. "I played those break points down very well. It turned the match a little for me."
U.S. captain Jim Courier had high praise for the 17th-ranked Isner.
"I don't know I have ever seen anyone finish a match against Roger Federer the way he did today," Courier said. "That was pretty amazing."
The upset was preceded by a riveting opening singles match, with Fish outlasting Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 9-7.
"Mardy put forth a great effort," Isner said. "That was so gutsy. It took a lot of pressure off of me."
The U.S. can eliminate Switzerland today by winning the doubles in the best-of-five series. Mike Bryan and teenager Ryan Harrison face Federer and Wawrinka, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalists.
"It's been a difficult day for us," Federer said, adding: "We still have a chance to go through. I'm going to enjoy the challenge."
Seven other first-round series in the top tier of Davis Cup were contested Friday. Croatia and Japan were tied 1-1, same for Canada vs. France. Ahead 2-0 were Serbia (vs. Sweden), Austria (vs. Russia), Argentina (vs. Germany), Spain (vs. Kazakhstan) and Czech Republic (vs. Italy).
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