Federer and Wawrinka off par in DC defeat

 

Originally published on: 13/02/12 11:08

Roger Federer’s relationship with Stanislas Wawrinka might be a touch frosty for a while after the Swiss reportedly blamed his team-mate for Switzerland’s 5-0 Davis Cup loss to the United States.

The pair teamed up to win Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 but they were not in tune during their must-win third rubber against the Americans. 

Wawrinka had lost his opening singles bout with Mardy Fish in five sets and Federer had fallen to John Isner in four in Fribourg, before Fish and Mike Bryan hit back from a set down to beat the Swiss pair in the doubles, sealing an insurmountable 3-0 lead and booking the USA a place in the world group quarter-finals.

“I played well enough in doubles, but Stanislas not so much,” Federer is quoted as saying in French by AP. “Stan didn’t have his best match in singles. It’s a shame, because of that defeat we weren’t able to put the U.S. under pressure.”

Federer is also reported to have criticised the clay court laid by the Swiss Tennis Federation for the tie.

“The Americans were better throughout the weekend. Have to accept that,” Federer was quoted. “The conditions were tough for us, because the balls, because of the high altitude and they jumped off, and the holes in the clay court.”

The US team, meanwhile, were delighted to book a quarter-final against 2011 finalists France after Bryan and Fish had ensured victory with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-3 triumph over the reigning Olympic champions.

“This was a big step forward for our guys to come in here and play against a team of this calibre,” said captain Jim Courier. “Our attitude remained strong all the while and we were ready for whatever. That is what you need for any road tie.”

The US team will be back on the road for their last eight tie with France, with the encounter also expected to be on clay – but that won’t faze them after their remarkable 5-0 win in Switzerland. Isner was the prominent success story, securing the biggest victory of his career in beating Federer on a clay court.

“You saw a new John Isner here,” Courier said, simply.

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